Sunday, January 27, 2008

On Fear

Fear is not an issue I've struggled with much. There have been times when I've worried, times when my imagination has gotten the better of me, but not that many occasions when I've truly been afraid. When I have felt fearful, my trick has been to pray through Philippians 4:8: "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." I took each item in order. If the fear wasn't based in truth, then I didn't need to think about it.

Until this week. On Thursday one of my friends experienced a home invasion. Men with ski masks broke down her back door just minutes after her husband left for work. She grabbed the phone and hid in the closet where one of the men came later and, by God's total grace, did not see her in the corner. Also by God's grace was the fact that her son was over at her mom's house for the day. In six minutes the men stole $15,000 worth of material goods but, more importantly, stole my friend's peace of mind. Mine, too, since I had nightmares last night about our house being invaded. In my dream I was completely unable to fight back.

Her husband has since bought a pistol and today is taking KE to the range to learn how to shoot it. They are also looking for a new house and hope to be moved within the month. (Their current house backs up to a strip mall on a major highway, and it's most likely that the thieves jumped the back fence rather than coming in through the front.)

I asked Kevin to turn on our alarm system again and this afternoon he tested it out for me. I also promised him that I will be more vigilant about keeping the front door locked and the garage door closed when I'm home. Still, those precautions can't keep a person from breaking down my back door, and the panic button in my bedroom might not scare him away.

So, for one of the few times in my life, I find myself living in fear. Real fear. And I need a new verse to pray. So, my friends, who's got a Word from God for me?
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2 comments:

Lalena said...

I was on another blog and your post caught my eye. Hope you don’t mind but this is scary! My husband bugs me regularly to keep the front door locked when I’m home and my back screen is always open. I’ve complained but this makes me think twice.

I have struggled with fear regularly most of my life. Worry is one of those wonderful generational items that get passed along in my family like wide hips. I work on letting go on a daily basis, especially at night. I had Isaiah 26:3 posted over my bed for years. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

The world we live in is a scary place. I am grateful knowing that whatever we may go through, the Lord does not leave us alone. How good God is that even in the circumstances of your friend, her family is safe. This is all we can hold too. We are never alone. I am praying for your family and your friends.

1:03 PM
Anonymous said...

When Alexandra is afraid, she goes through Joshua 1:9 (helps that she knows a tune for it!), "Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." And, the last line is the point, he never leaves us! And, he commands us not to fear. Since I know KE and I had nightmares too, easier said than done!

3:24 PM

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