I was out on my morning run when I glimpsed a sign on a lamppost: FBI.
My mind raced. An FBI investigation! Was there a shooting? A terrorist incident? Fear took over.
The next day, jogging by the same spot, I came upon people setting up camera equipment. FBI? No, they were filming an episode of the TV show FBI: Most Wanted.
By some counts, the phrase “Fear not” shows up in the Bible 365 times, once for every day of the year. Not a day goes by that I don’t need to hear those words.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.—Psalm 34:4
An active imagination is one of the Creator’s gifts, bringing us empathy. But fear can take it off the rails, as it did for me during the Covid pandemic. When you become afraid of what might happen, seek a higher power.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.—1 John 4:18
What is the opposite of fear? I want to say “courage.” But no. Love is the opposite of fear. And love is what helps us cast it out. Connecting to God’s love in prayer, I can echo the adage “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.”
But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”—Mark 5:36
Jesus had been waylaid on his way to heal the daughter of the synagogue leader, and news comes that the girl has died. Jesus turns to the man and offers this extraordinary hope. Often, I find myself uttering these words in prayer: “Rick, do not fear—just believe.” As always, Jesus gets the last word.
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