by Jeff Reedy
Verse(s): “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both your soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows – one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” — Matthew 10:28-31
Reflection: Don’t be afraid.
The Bible says “don’t be afraid” 365 times in its pages. That’s once per day. We humans tend to be afraid all of the time. And that fear leads to other things… none of which are good. We get selfish, because we’re afraid we don’t have enough. We are mean to others, because we’re afraid they’ll hurt us. We gossip, because we’re afraid we’ll look bad or we’re afraid they’re talking about us.
Let’s all stop being afraid. How, though? Well, it comes through love and trust. When we love God, and we trust Him to take care of us (like He promises to do in the Gospels very clearly), our hearts open up. We learn to love others, not because we naively believe they won’t hurt us (hint: they will) but because we know that He’ll heal us each time they do… and we’ll heal stronger and wiser and better than ever.
Loving people means being hurt… make no mistake. Anyone who tells you differently is selling something. But the truth behind that truth is that God is all good… and He is beneath, behind, and under every relationship you’ll ever have. He is waiting to catch you when you fall. He is yearning to heal you when others hurt your heart.
Let’s stop being afraid… and trust Him.
Faith Challenge: This week, let’s be fearless in our prayers and outreach. Let’s pray for an end to abortion. For abortion workers to leave their clinics and work for the pro-life movement. For mothers to choose life in record numbers. Let’s pray fearlessly for our teams out there on the sidewalks, standing in the gap, making a difference.