The Tipping Point: No Reason to Fear
Did you know the phrase "Do not be afraid" is listed in the Bible 365 times?
525,600 minutes, 365 days….each day and moment is an opportunity for new lessons. In my own faith practice of christianity, I’ve come to look at the Bible as a tool to apply to my life. Taking the scripture as stories and references, anecdotes for me to reflect on and then consider how it fits in to my own personal day to day. This has helped me greatly.
In my recent personal reflections, I’ve come to discover that the phrase or similar phrases of “Do not be afraid” appears in the Bible 365 times! That is quite the feat and leaves me wondering, why? What was the intention this reminder?
Well, considering the world we live in today, it could be quite easy to lean into worry, concern, fear. International conflicts, social problems, homelessness, race relations, you know it, there is something that will cause us to “spin out.” That’s what I call it when my thoughts take over and I fail to remain present in knowing that there is peace in each moment.
The very concept of fear, is an idea that one is not safe. Considering the text I look to, that lists in so many ways…365 to be exact that I have no reason to fear, for the Lord, my Higher Power, the Universe, whatever is more familiar with you…is with me, then I have yet another opportunity to adjust my thoughts and rest in the knowing that God’s got Me and All is Well.
Here’s an easier example: Picture it, Jamaica 2018. I stood at the top of a cliff overlooking a beautiful lagoon and waterfall on an excursion during our visit to Jamaica to celebrate one of my best friends, Kyrah and her nuptials to her husband Carl. Now I wouldn’t go and say that I’m afraid of heights, but in this moment as I stopped with my toes gripping the rock and most of the group already in the water. I was not about to jump off into water that I had no clue of how deep it was. I stood for what felt like 30 minute, but I’m pretty sure was about 90 seconds contemplating how my friends would explain my unfortunate demise to my family when the host who was with us placed his hand on my shoulder. “Just step out mon an’ the next thing you know you’ll be in the water.”
It’s a simple and familiar concept. Stepping out on faith. The idea that in the midst of fear, that knowing that God has me keeps me comforted. But surely this man, had no clue of my crippling fear. In that moment I went back to 3-4 other moments in my life where I’d been crippled with fear and lived to tell the tail. In that moment, I remembered that I am made in the image and likeness of God. The Spirit of absolute Good. This omnipotent being who loves me unconditionally. God’s not going to set me up to jump off this cliff and unless God’s got my back. Sure enough, I stepped off and before I could even think of being scared, I felt the water envelope me and my head broke the surface where my friends cheered.
Hopefully, your moment of revelation won’t happen at the top of a cliff in Jamaica, but I do hope you remember that each day you have a reason to remember that God’s Got You. There’s nothing in your life, world, or affairs that is too terrifying and if you find yourself allowing that fear to creep in. Take a breath. In fact, take three deep breaths, and allow that air to remind you that you are safe, all is well…and that God’s God You.