Daily Meditation: "Fear"

Sunday, August 16, 2020

SCRIPTURE

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” - John 14:27

REFLECT

I have felt true fear a few times in my life: when I saw a tornado coming towards our home when we lived in South Dakota (we were in the basement), when I found myself off the trail and lost in the woods cross-country skiing in Vermont as the sun was going down, and when I became a Daddy. Having a child for the very first time is about as extreme a dichotomy of emotions as you can possibly have. It is, at the very same time, the most joyful and the most terrifying experience I’ve ever had.

The first time around, I was afraid of everything: safety in the car, breathing in the crib, baby-proofing the house, the slightest cough or sneeze, having him out of my sight….and you know what? That’s never stopped. Now, he’s about to learn how to drive and I have a whole new set of fears.

Ah, parenting…..and of course, every one of my fears never came to pass. There comes a time when a sense of peace comes over you and you realize that everything is OK. That usually gets replaced by a whole other set of concerns as they continue to grow older, but I’d like to think that by now my parents aren’t sitting up in NC worrying about me driving to the store (I say that as if we weren’t living in a COVID world).

There is a sense of peace we can attain in our relationship with God that helps us with our fears. We have to dig deep for it sometimes, and other times it washes over us easily. No matter how it comes to us, it is always there if we’re open to receiving it. God has no desire for us to be worried or afraid, which always reminds me that the majority of my fears come from my own mind and no basis in reality. God’s peace is a gift I’m always thankful to receive.

But make no mistake, the first time Ryan drives away in the car alone I’m totally gonna freak out.

PRAYER

God of Peace, thank you for the gift of your peace that can help us overcome our fears and help us find serenity in a frenetic world and with our worried minds.

Amen.

Peace,

Shawn