Being afraid is real. But, so is love.

On the flannel graph board were pictures of a familiar Bible story--the young shepherd boy David standing up to the giant Goliath. And I asked the class, 'Do you think David was afraid?' Yes, they all said! One young boy explained, in his wise nine-year old voice, 'The battle wasn't David's. It was the Lord's.'

These kids, they never cease to teach the teacher.

The next question to the class, 'What is it you are afraid of?' And these six, seven, eight, and nine-year olds, they shared their fears of bees, frogs, spiders, high places, and even their parents' fears. And then this sweet fiery redhead with freckles sprinkled across the bridge of his nose--he stood up and with his second grade hands and formed what looked like a tunnel. 'You know when you have to go through tight places, like this--that's me,' he said with a nervous laugh. There, he had said it--he told about his fear out loud. He had been brave. He smiled and his eyes glimmered.

A dear friend who is also my family--her husband is sick. Seriously sick. And she told me she couldn't help but be afraid.

A Mama just this week told me she was worried and feared her young adult child was making some wrong decisions--decisions he would regret.

And just a few nights ago I woke up to a scream coming from my phone. Tornado warning for the area. And I lay in bed and listen to the wind howl and try to fall back asleep.

The fear of coming storms, those we have warning and those we do not--the fear is the same. For a wife, a Mama, a Daddy, a husband, a family member, a loved one, a child. For all of us. Fear is real.

Over and over in scriptures are the words--Afraid. Fear.

David penned....

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. Psalm 56:3

I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4

Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

And many other scriptures in God's Holy Word references fear and being afraid...

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

Have not I commanded thee? 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

For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Isaiah 41:13

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. Luke 1:30-31,

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10

Ye shall not fear them: for the Lord your God He shall fight for you. Deuteronomy 3:22

I asked him, this courageous young boy who is afraid of closed-in and tight spaces, 'Do you like to crawl under the bed?' 'No!' he replied, kinda bold-kinda shy.

'So, what if your dog, the dog that you love is stuck under your house and you are the only one small enough to crawl under the house and get him? What would you do?'

And without even the moment of a blink, he answered, 'I would crawl under there and get him.'

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear. I John 4:18

It wasn't that King David was never afraid. It was the fact he was depending on God's perfect love to help him be brave. Ask any parent who has thrown their arm across the passenger's seat shielding their child during a sudden stop. Ask a grandma or grandpa who holds their grand child's hand tight in a retail store. Ask a loved one to help you with a task and that thing you asked them to do is one of their fears--but, they do it anyway--for you. Love blinds fear. And God is love.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

Writer's notes:

This has been one of the hardest, most difficult stories I have written in a long time. Over the past two weeks I have erased, edited, deleted paragraph after paragraph, word after word and even questioned if I should even share it. Then God showed me I John 4:18. The story was never supposed to be focused on fear, but on His love. Thank you for reading a beautiful grace. I'm thankful for each of you and pray in some small way, these stories will bless and encourage you. And most of all, glorify the One who loves us with His perfect love.

All scriptures referenced are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible

All content and photos are copyrighted and owned by the writer and a beautiful grace.