Sometimes we get afraid of something. There can be a fear of losing a family member, fear of death or prosecution, losing a job, afraid of retirement...
But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.( Psalms 56:3 )
You are not the only one who’s afraid. In fact, every single person on Earth is afraid of something at one moment in life or at another.
At first, lets understand that we are not afraid of what has happened in the past, not afraid of what is happening right this very moment. We are afraid of what may happen in the future - in a second, hour, month or year from now.
And who is in charge of your future how you see it now? Think of it - is it your boss who may fire you? Is it the doctor who’s trying to save your family member from death? Is it your enemy that is trying to kill you? Is it you in control of your own future and the step you’re taking can cause deadly consequences?
In reality, no one can control their future, and neither can you. Here is what Jesus tells about a rich man who was trying to secure his future by saving an abundant amount of grains in his barns.
"But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?'( Luke 12:20 )
However, you do control who you’re walking with into the future. You can walk there with God, or without God.
Whatever led you throughout your life until now, resulting in the fear - leave it alone. And walk with God, away from the darkness of your past.
If you were lucky enough to have a father, remember how safe and protected you felt with him when you were a little kid. When he held your hand and walked with you, you felt safe and joyful.
Now you have your heavenly father who created you, deeply loves you, who can walk with you from now on.
And yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.( Isaiah 64:8 )
And he is far more powerful and mighty than anyone else on Earth.
God stretches the northern sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing. He wraps the rain in his thick clouds, and the clouds don't burst with the weight. He covers the face of the moon, shrouding it with his clouds. He created the horizon when he separated the waters; he set the boundary between day and night. The foundations of heaven tremble; they shudder at his rebuke. By his power the sea grew calm. By his skill he crushed the great sea monster. His Spirit made the heavens beautiful, and his power pierced the gliding serpent. These are just the beginning of all that he does, merely a whisper of his power. Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?"( Job 26:7-14 )
Let your father lead your life. Let him take care of your future. If you remember that joyful feeling when you were a kid surrounded by parents, bring it back. Become a kid again who let parents take care of his worries.
Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.( Isaiah 41:10 )
If we get to know God more, it'll help us understand his power. Here is how apostle John describes him.
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.( 1 John 1:5 )
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.( John 1:5 )
We also hear the same from Jesus, who is the true image of the invisible God.
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."( John 8:12 )
When you leave the darkness and walk with God, ask yourself - can you shine the same way as your father does?
The light of our father and his son Jesus is not a usual light. The lights we know of are powered by electricity, from a wax candle or a fire wood... But the light of our father God is powered by love.
But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.( 1 John 4:8 )
To take the victory over the enemies of this world, Jesus used the weapon that can’t be defeated. That weapon is love.
Then they began to spit in Jesus' face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him,( Matthew 26:67 )
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.( Luke 23:34 )
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."( John 16:33 )
Therefore, take courage and love. Love God, your family, your neighbors and your enemies. Do not forget about yourself - love yourself as you are, with all your failures, fears and imperfections.
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.( John 13:34 )
And when there is love, there is no fear, for love drives out fear.
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.( 1 John 4:18 )
We are all humans, with our weaknesses and fears. We are easily lost in our life without the light of love.
The light leaves no darkness. As we love our enemies, the light reaches them and casts away the all darkness from them.
If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.( Proverbs 25:21 )
Even our enemies can love. But they could be left in darkness by someone bullying them in their childhood, or by parents or friends who left them, or by some internal insecurity that left them no place in this world and pushed to the darkness.
Use your love towards your enemies, put your sword back.
"Put away your sword," Jesus told him. "Those who use the sword will die by the sword.( Matthew 26:52 )
Use your new undefeatable weapon - love. Go ahead and shine in this world where fearful darkness has no place to hide. For you are not alone, never alone.
Have faith, leave doubts behind. For if God is with you, who can be against you?
But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken!( Isaiah 54:17 )