Be Not Afraid
On March 17, 2020 by Mike Jones
On March 4th, 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt gave his inaugural address to a nation embroiled in the effects of the Great Depression caused by the stock market crash of 1929. To a nation looking to him for leadership and hope, Mr. Roosevelt said, “This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself —nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance”. Mr. Roosevelt wisely understood that fear of their present circumstances along with the fear of possible future consequences could hinder the necessary vigilance that would be required to be victorious through the trial.
Fear is a God-given human emotion that is beneficial in helping to keep us safe as we live in this world. It’s interesting that in light of her husband’s words quoted above, Eleanor Roosevelt once said “Do one thing every day that scares you”. And you can find studies on-line that list the benefits of fear. However, unbridled fear that is not tempered by the Scriptures and the leading of God’s Spirit, can wreak havoc in the life of a believer. And what it boils down to is a lack of faith in the God of our salvation. In Psalm 46, verses 1&2, the psalmist writes, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear... ".
To "not fear" is a choice we make when we are confident of our refuge and strength. If we seek refuge and strength from within ourselves, we will find that we come up short of both. Our present difficulties (The Coronavirus) have not taken God by surprise. He is in total control of these things and we can always count on Him to do what is best for His glory and for our good.
So "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Joshua 1:9)