No one can escape fear, it is a feeling that everyone experiences, no matter how big or small you are. Fear is both beneficial (positive) and harmful (negative), which we would all like to avoid. Good fear protects our lives, provides vigilance and wisdom on how to protect ourselves; and the negative paralyzes, depresses, and takes away the strength and determination to move forward. 

Interestingly, we live in the safest times, when medicine, science, and education are as advanced as they have ever been before. But even now, scientists studying the 21st century speak and write that this age and today’s culture is the most intense time of fear. Fear arises from not knowing the answers to fundamental human questions: what is my past? Who am I now? What awaits me in the future? The outlook for the future is extremely vague for man today, with so much talk about global warming, uncontrollable diseases and uncontrollable viruses, an unprecedented economic downturn and so on. What awaits us in the future? What awaits our children? How much longer can this land live? What will happen tomorrow and in 30 years? 

Unfortunately, no science or doctors have answers to these questions. At this point, I would like to emphasize that this era is not only the age of the greatest progress, but also the age of the greatest disbelief. When so strongly attached to new inventions, technologies, and the power of the mind, which is not in itself any evil, human nature, its purpose, and the importance of believing in God as the Creator and authority of the universe are mentioned and forgotten here. Lack or absence of faith causes the growth of fear and ignorance in the lives of all of us, which leads to increasing manifestations of anxiety attacks, fear, depression. The only faith in God, His Word, His sacrifice on the cross, His childish hope can overcome and dispel all oppressive fears. We must not forget that man is created for communication with God, such is the purpose of our life – to be and talk to our Creator every day, to communicate on all matters of concern to us. Trust him more than a doctor or teacher, a neighbour or even a friend. 

Faith arises from reading God’s Word and grows through regular abiding in Him and close fellowship with God in prayer. The great men or women of the faith recorded in the Bible experienced many fears and hardships, but their gaze did not stop there: Abraham, who later became the Father and example of the faith of all Jews and Christians, trusted in God’s call, left the safe land of his fathers and went into the unknown, only believing the promise that God will show, “The Lord said to Abram, ‘Leave your land, your kindreds, your fathers’ houses, and go to the land which I will show you. And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and you will be a blessing” (Genesis 12: 1-2). Anointed by the prophet Samuel to be king, David was persecuted for many years and hid in caves from King Saul, suffering many wrongs and losses, so he wrote, “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34: 4). “The LORD is my light and my salvation: what shall I fear? The LORD is my strength: and why should I tremble?” (Psalm 27: 1). When the people of Israel were spoiled, and suffered in fear, then God said to them: “But now, this is what the LORD says – he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze’ “ (Isaiah 43: 1-2). In all situations, God came and supernaturally saved those who trusted in Him. 

Today God has remained and is doing the same – He wants to help every wounded or frightened heart, to answer your biggest questions and fears, to give hope where there seems to be no hope left. Jesus says, “I have not come to destroy life. I came to the rescue. I came to liberate. I came not to take away life. I came to have life, to have it in abundance.” 

My only understanding is that in the face of my greatest fears, I must choose faith in Christ, who is in control of everything and can resolve and control any situation; can give me hope and a way to act even in the most unpredictable way. Instead of fear of tomorrow, the economic crisis, my family or children, and perhaps the future of the country, I choose communion and prayer with God, and He provides heavenly peace and supernatural security for an unpredictable tomorrow and a fragile future. In the face of our greatest fears, let us delve into God, His Word, His nearness – from there comes true peace, wise decisions, and victories. “Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is your help and your shield” (Psalm 115: 11). 

Jūratė Kapačinskienė

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