by Linda Veath Cox

Businesswoman holding umbrella against stormy sky with tornado oFear. That feeling of alarm or disquiet caused by the expectation of danger, pain, disaster, or the like. (American Heritage Dictionary)

Synonyms: Terror, dread, apprehension, horror, alarm, panic.

Fears seem to surround us, squeezing tighter and tighter until we have trouble breathing, thinking, living. If we’re not careful, fears can totally consume us, even immobilize us.

We know we shouldn’t fear. Thus, we keep looking for a remedy for our fears. Is it even possible to live without fear? Perhaps the best way to begin is to simply name our fears. Admit them. So …… what are you afraid of?

Storms? Tornadoes? Hurricanes?

[The Lord has] been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy … a shelter from the storm … ~ Isaiah 25:4 NIV

How about earthquakes, drought, floods?

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. ~ Psalm 46:1-2 NLT

Do you fear the loss of your job? Or your home? The inability to pay your bills?

(D)on’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. … your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need. ~ Luke 12:29-31 NLT

What about growing older? Losing a spouse? Being alone? Wondering who will care for you?

I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. ~ Isaiah 46:3-4 NLT

Maybe your fears center around cancer. Heart attacks or stroke. Dementia. Death.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.” ~ John 11:25-26 NIV

Our list of fears could go on and on. From snakes or spiders to terrorist attacks or nuclear war. From heights or enclosed spaces to rejection, failure, divorce.  From demons and ghosts to what the future holds.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38-39 NLT

So what’s the best way to deal with our fears? That’s right ……

When I am afraid, I will trust in [the Lord].

~ Psalm 56:3 NIV

And all God’s children said “Amen.”