I'm Afraid

I'm Afraid

Most little children have fears of one kind or another. Fear of the dark, of loud noise, or being left alone... just to name a few. When I was a child I was terrified of the dark. I thought for sure there was someone peering in my windows, someone under my bed or in my closet. I did NOT like bed time. I would beg my exhausted Momma, "I'm afraid, please sleep with me." She had worked all day and she desperately needed her sleep and if she was in bed with me, she wouldn't get the rest she needed. As a sleeping little girl I would toss and turn and thrash about in the bed. Yet, night after night she would climb in bed with me.
But, some how... when she was lying beside me, I was safe. There wasn't anyone under my bed, out the windows or in my closet. Just her presence next to me dispelled all my fears. I guess I thought no one would dare even think about coming near my room when Momma was on guard!
As adults we have fears too. They may not be childhood fears but they are still...just as real...just as scary and probably even more so. How will my mortgage get paid this month? Will the cancer go in remission? Will my spouse or my children ever get sober? Will my children come to the saving knowledge of Jesus as their Savior? Any of these sound familiar to you? This is just a grain of sand compared to the many different fears I'm sure you could add to this list. So what do we do? Where do we turn? Is there a place to go, someone we can turn to...to get that same peace and comfort that I found as a child in the arms of my Momma?
Yes! Yes! Yes! Our God knows that His children have too many fears to count. His word is filled with references on that very subject. In Ps. 56:3-4, David is afraid and cries out to the Lord, "When I am afraid, I will trust in You; in God whose name I praise. In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" Jesus comforts His disciples in John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
What great words of comfort these are to you and me. Although my Momma's presence dispelled my fears for a time, in reality if there was someone there under my bed, she might have fought like a wild bear but she couldn't have protected me against everything. She couldn't be with me all the time and she would eventually leave me alone in bed with my fears at 11 years old.
Jesus gives us more than the world or our Mommas' could ever possibly give us. He has given us His Holy Spirit that is always with us. Jesus gives us His peace and His presence. Dt. 31:8 "The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you, He will not leave you alone or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Are you afraid today? Will you turn to the world and its temporary comforts? Or will you reach for the One who is always with you. If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, not only is He with you through all fears and trials, He will be there to take you to glory when God calls you home. Ps. 73:23-24, "I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory."
He is the Great Comforter, our Prince of Peace.

Mary Ann