To Fear or Not To Fear!

Ebola.  I bet last year at this time "Ebola" wasn't even in our vocabulary.  All at once, it's a word we can't seem to escape.  Just this last week, most of us saw the news about a patient at a Dallas hospital with Ebola.  ISIS.  Another word that a year or two ago, wasn't in our vocabulary. Yet, now, brings up images of threat, fear and beheadings. It's amazing how there's always something new we can fear. Ebola. ISIS. Cancer.  The list goes on.  Yet, we have a choice. To fear or not to fear. Does freaking out help? Absolutely not.

Remember Joshua in the Bible? He too had to deal with something totally out of his control.  God had commanded Joshua to lead the Israelites to capture Jericho.  But Jericho was protected by a massive wall that encircled the city.  What must it have been like for Joshua to stand at the wall of Jericho? Pretty intimidating, to be sure.

So God gave a pretty strange plan to Joshua.  He told Joshua to have the men march around the city once each day for six days.  The priests were to carry the ark, blowing trumpets, but the soldiers were to be quiet.  On the seventh day, the assembly marched around the walls of Jericho seven times.  And then, in a flash, between Rahab, some spies and some great hiding, something amazing happened. (Joshua 1-6:25) The walls fell down!  The Israelite army rushed in and conquered the city.  Only Rahab and her family survived.

As a leader, Joshua felt pretty inadequate for the role ahead of him.  I can only imagine He needed some reassurance.  He was taking Moses' place! Pretty cool how God spoke to Joshua and said "Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9) Just at the moment needed. I need those times of encouragement from God frequently. Don't you?

We, just like Joshua, may not always understand God's ways.  As humans, it's easy to question God. When we're bind sided by circumstances, sicknesses and other weird things, it's easy to wonder if God is REALLY in control.  Let me assure you, God IS in control.  Today. Always. What are you freaking out today? Will you trust God?  Will you trust God for the circumstances that are out of your control?  God has not changed since Joshua's times.  He promises to be with you wherever you go. Why not start your day trusting God....with everything that comes your way?

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.