All of a sudden a man pulled up, rolled down his window and told the young boy and girl that he worked with their dad. He proceeded to tell them their dad asked him to pick them up from school. I can still remember what he looked like and his suit and hat. I can still see that whole portion of the film. While I am sure most kids at Winter Park elementary learned a good lesson about not getting in the car with a stranger, I had nightmares for years. Then, I had to watch it a second year! I was ok in the day time but at night I was petrified. I had kidnapping nightmares for almost 20 years! I always dreaded night time because when I was alone in my dark room, I would worry, that the next day, riding to piano lessons (I know that is a hoot!) I would be kidnapped. As I got older I worried about my younger brother and my two younger cousins being kidnapped. I worried about my babies when I became a mother. I l am a slow learner but I finally realized that I was listening to my mind over my Master!
Psalm 27: 1-3, "The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident." David had many opportunities to be afraid. As a boy, he faced being attacked by wild animals. Later he confronted the giant, Goliath, and the armies of Israel’s enemies. He
faced the wrath of King Saul. In every situation, David found that he could trust in the Lord and that this trust took away his fears.
David realized God was his light and salvation. When we have that Light, the dark goes away! Even now, if fear or doubt get ready to slip into my mind, I start talking to God or quoting Scripture. The dark goes away when I bring in His Light! We can be delivered from fear by focusing and depending on the Lord. God gives us the right perspective on life. We do not need to fear wars, personal problems, pandemics, financial problems or uncertainties. Isaiah 41: 10, "So do not fear,for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Too often, we let fear cripple and immobilize us more than anything else. Jesus knew that we would be afraid. Maybe that is why "fear not" is in the Bible 365 times - one for each day of the year! Deuteronomy 31: 8, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you;he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Fear is a feeling and just that. Fear is not a fact because, as in my case, the thing that crippled me, never came to fruition, thankfully! Fear is a feeling and it will pass if we put our Master above what is going on in our mind! Fear is temporary, Jesus is permanent! Hebrews 13: 8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Every time we encounter fear, God is teaching us more about faith and more about trust. Jesus asks us to turn our fear over to Him. Let's replace the fear in our mind with the Words of our Master! He does not give us the spirit of fear. 2 Timothy 1: 7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear,but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Squeeze the fear out of your mind by filling it up with the Master's Words! Whatever we are going through, let's be like David in Psalm 34: 4, "I sought the Lord,and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears."
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