Fear, anxiety, depression, worry, debt, illness, job loss, foreclosure, terrorism, war, hunger, destruction… Fear immobilizes us. We become stuck and hold on to the gifts and blessings God has given us out of fear for what tomorrow may bring.

I was listening to K-love the other day and the DJ shared this acronym: F.E.A.R. False Evidence Appearing Real. The world wants us to believe these problems are bigger than God. The world wants us to forget his promises and lean on our own power. The world wants us to believe that God doesn’t care.

False Evidence Appearing Real, yes there is bad news everywhere we look. That is not the whole truth!  I also hear the stories of countless people reaching out in faith to help heal the wounds of the world. They model what it means to “seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness.” When we do, we find hope, comfort, peace, prosperity, joy, laughter, courage, strength, healing, generosity, perseverance, wholeness, faith… Then we become God’s instruments to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, fill the empty and find the lost.

Matthew 6:28-34
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Abba, I don’t want to fear… Help to ignore the false evidence and stand firm in my faith, trusting only in your promises, and your truth.  Amen

Julie Weldon