Dear SCC & Friends,
The wicked (fearful) flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as a lion.~Proverbs 28:1
Update #50
We are capable of abandoning our post, neglecting our duty and flee out of fear. I believe that to greater or lesser degrees, all of us have had to deal with fear. Fear is a God-given emotion that has positive and negative effects depending on the situation. My dad was a WWII hero who was wounded several times, and I once asked him if he was ever afraid. He said, “Kevin, if you’re not afraid, you’re not alive.” He said it in a way that meant it’s real but doesn’t have the final say unless we let it. Do not be afraid of sudden fear, nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. ~Prov. 3:25-26Throughout Scripture, every angelic appearance we hear the words, “Fear not!” God knows our first reaction to the unknown is so often fear and anxiety. The Greek word for fear is Phoboswhich is the root word for phobia. The American Psychological Association lists hundreds of phobias, but courage seems to be self-explanatory and uncomplicated. Courage is not the absence of fear but the refusal to be cowered or controlled by it.
Courage is honored because it is honorable. We give no medals for fear…Could you imagine our national anthem ending with land of the free and the “home of the fearful” or being awarded the “Congressional Medal of Fear”? It’s been nearly a year since the mysterious and perplexing COVID-19 entered our lives. We have been challenged in so many ways, but absolutely never abandoned by the Lord. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need. ~Heb. 4:16 Untethered fear will paralyze, while it’s “first cousin” anxiety gnaws away at all the bad things that might happen in the future. Can we admit that we get afraid, but we are never alone? …for they all saw Him and were frightened. But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” ~Mk. 6:50 He still walks on water… He still exhorts us to fear not… He still tells us to take courage… He still beckons… “It is I… Do not be afraid!” May we (en)courage others with love of Christ and the hope of the Gospel… Keep up the good work! This is your time…
Yours in Him,
Kevin