Fear
Scripture:
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
Reflection:
Today I choose to fast from the wound of fear.
Fear is a natural human response to dangerous situations. Our fight, flight or freeze instincts are designed to protect us when the stakes are high. But what about when the danger is more about our perception of things that might happen rather than the reality of what is happening? That’s when fear becomes a wound that holds us back, rather than a simple response that keeps us safe until we can move forward. That kind of fear can keep us from following God. We either rush ahead (fight), run away (flee), or stand still (freeze). As we move through Lent, you might find yourself experiencing any of these responses. The good news is that God is with us in the fear and provides a way for us to move forward through prayer and community.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
What is going on in my life, or my spiritual life, that might cause me to be afraid?
How do I most often react when I am afraid?
Prayer:
Share with God those things that cause you to be afraid and the ways that you respond to fear. Pray that God would help you to move through fear, not become stuck in it. Ask God to show you who you can reach out to for support when you feel afraid and who you can support in their fear.
These devotions have been adapted from “Lenten Healing: 40 Days to Set You Free from Sin” by Ken Kniepmann.
