Someone claims that there are 365 ‘fear not’ phrases in the Bible. One for every day of the year. This Leap Year you could’ve chewed your fingernails and pulled out whatever hair you have left all to your heart’s content!
I’m sure that one fear a day doesn’t come close to covering all my anxieties. Just little old me? Since surgery a few years ago, I notice that fear becomes more of a sidekick than I’d like. I’m on high alert for any tiny twitch, an ache here, a pain there that may mean something has gone terminally wacko within my aging body. Fears race to the surface. I imagine all the worst and then some.
So, I’ve decided to park some Bible verses in my peabrain. To oil my squeaky emotions with God’s Word. Smooth out some squeamish rough spots by slathering on some spiritual gel. As in what exactly? I’m memorizing some verses, though with limited success. But I’m trying. Who said ‘very’?!
Here’s what I’m working on this week. Psalm 31: 14-15–“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hand…” Yes, I know. Only nineteen words to put into my craw. It should be a cinch and yet I stumble.
But isn’t that one aspect that’s taught here in Psalm 31? That it’s not about how clever I am. Or what a sharpwitted Einstein I wish I were. Or how on top of things I’m not. It’s more about leaning on Him. His everlasting arms with His helping hand when needed. God’s timing that I can trust. Whether I can recite each word verbatim or not, it’s not about me. Or you. Now there’s a novel thought!
Okay. Hold on a second. I know that there’s a lot to fear in this life. More at certain times than others. Yet, the Lord promises to be close by, as in your next breath, to lift us up and carry whatever burdens fall into our laps or onto our heads. Whenever with whatever. He’s given His Word.
Do you believe Him? If so, and I do for at least some of the time, you’ll begin to crowd out those pesky fears, replacing them with some good, old-fashioned faith and trust…in Jesus and the Father and the Holy Spirit with angels at your sleeve.
After all, with so much help, what’s to fear? That’s something to chew on this week.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for all your love and help. Amen.
Reflections out of time 
Fear about tomorrow does us no good for we don’t know what God has in store for any of us. One of my colleagues at the organ business is very ill with stage 4 cancer. He still works in the office when he can but is unable to do any of the physical construction work. The business hired a healthy robust man to replace him doing construction. Last night on his way home from work the strong healthy worry free man was killed in a car accident.