Walking With Christ

Isaiah 41:10  fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.(ESV)

Fear gets louder when you stop moving.

That’s one reason we stay busy.

Noise can become a hiding place.  Work can become a hiding place.  Responsibility can become a hiding place.  Even helping other people can become a hiding place if it keeps us from sitting quietly with the things we don’t want to face.

When the motion stops, fear starts talking.

It says you’re falling behind.

It says people are upset with you.

It says you’re wasting time.

It says you should be doing more.

It says rest is dangerous.

It says silence will reveal things you can’t handle.

Fear is a liar, but it’s not always random.  Sometimes fear points toward wounds that haven’t healed yet.  Sometimes fear reveals places where we’ve learned to survive by staying useful.  Sometimes fear exposes the belief that love must be earned by constant performance.

That doesn’t mean fear should lead.

A smoke alarm can tell you something needs attention, but you don’t let the smoke alarm drive the fire truck.

Fear may reveal a wound, but it makes a terrible shepherd.

God doesn’t comfort His people by pretending fear isn’t real.  He comforts them by reminding them He is present.

“Fear not, for I am with you.”

That isn’t shallow encouragement.  That’s the foundation.

God doesn’t say, “Fear not, because nothing difficult will happen.”  He doesn’t say, “Fear not, because everyone will understand you.”  He doesn’t say, “Fear not, because your responsibilities will vanish.”

He says, “Fear not, for I am with you.”

His presence is the answer beneath every lesser answer.

When you stop moving and fear starts speaking, you don’t have to obey the first voice you hear.  You can let fear talk without letting fear rule.

You can name it.

You can bring it before God.

You can admit that quiet feels dangerous.

And then you can stay still long enough to discover that fear isn’t the only voice in the room.

God is there too.