The first casualties of upheaval can be love, kindness, and patience. But crisis is also a moment when love for God & one another can spring up. For 150 days, starting on 17th March 2020, I will write 300 words based on one of the 150 psalms in the bible. How can I find and give love in the midst of coronavirus?
There is one prayer that I have prayed more than any other. There is one thing I have prayed for myself more than anything else. In the 30 years of being a Christian, I have asked God for this again and again.
Lord, free me from fear & make me bold.
Fear was so powerful in my life. For me, this was mostly about fear in front of other people. I wanted to be free to talk to people. To share my faith. To love people without fear of rejection. So I prayed every day for years for freedom from fear. I looked up every verse in the bible about fear, boldness & courage. So when I opened this psalm today – some of these verses were so familiar. Let’s read:
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Verse 4 became my constant companion: I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Can you make it yours?
What do you fear? What makes you anxious? People, the virus, the future, your own thoughts, standing out as a Christian, money….. Whatever it is the promise here is that as we seek God & find Him, he answers our prayers for freedom from fear. Verses 5-7 speak this loud and clear. God hears, he answers and we are delivered.
I can testify that God has transformed my fears. I still pray for courage, but I am so different in my willingness to talk to anyone, to love people – even if they intimidate me. Thank you God for answering. I continue to pray for freedom from fear. I encourage you to do the same.
May God answer your prayers. Love Matt