Do Not Fear

The Bible says "Do not fear" 366 times.  That's one reminder for each day of a leap year.  And yet, we spend a large portion of our life in fear.  We worry about the little things.  We worry about the big things.  We worry about being on time for appointments.  We worry about what present to buy for someone's birthday.  We worry about what to make for dinner.  We worry about the laundry and the dishes.  We worry about losing weight.  We worry about our health.  We worry about what other people think.  We spend so much time worrying that we don't have time to enjoy the joyful moments in our lives.  We don't have any energy left to devote to what's really important.

I remember reading a story about a year ago about a man whose daughter asked him to put together a toy house.  He really didn't want to do it.  He had a million other things he felt were more pressing than the house.  However, he reluctantly agreed to build the house with his daughter.  They really enjoyed the process and he was glad he took the time to do it.  Within days, his daughter was killed in an accident.  While struggling with his grief, he had that precious memory to hang on to.

We can learn from that story.  We can live in the moment.  For that's all we have, a moment.  We don't know what the future holds.  Let go of the fear.  Hang on to the God's blessings.   Hang on to God's strength, knowing that He will get us through, no matter what.

"Be strong and of a good courage.  Do not be afraid.  For the Lord thy God goes with thee; and He will never fail thee nor forsake thee." (Deuteronomy 31:6)