This world can be a fearful place. If you turn on the news you will hear of burglaries, shootings, kidnappings, the war in Ukraine, inflation, fugitives on the loose… the list goes on and on! These things can instill fear in all of us if given the chance. However, fear is not something new. It is something that has been addressed since the Old Testament! When Adam and Eve ate of the fruit, they hid from the presence of God because they were afraid. The sin in our lives and the sin in this world can open the door for fear.

Compared to our ancestors and the things they endured; you might think that what we face today is minimal. Why then does it seem more people are consumed with fear today than in the past? Perhaps there is a clue in a poll conducted by The Ladies Home Journal nearly a quarter of a century ago. The magazine asked this simple question: “In whom do you trust?” Of the thousands who responded, two individuals were selected as most trustworthy. 40% listed Walter Cronkite, the CBS news anchor, and 26% listed the Pope. God came in last at 3%. Even the plumber and used car salesmen scored higher than the Almighty Creator of the universe. If you can’t trust God to take care of you, it is no wonder that we are so filled with fear.

1 John 4:18 tells us, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” God is perfect love. We will always be consumed by fear unless we abide in God and trust Him above all else.

God promises that He will never leave or forsake us. That’s a hard thing to believe when so many fearful things are happening around us every day. To Joshua, son of Nun, it must have been a fearful prospect as well. He was faced with enemies everywhere he went. He could choose to ally himself with others or choose to rely solely on his Heavenly Father. We can choose many things or people to put our trust in, but if you want to overcome fear, the choice is simple. God is always in control and is always with us.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, forgive me for putting my trust in anything or anyone other than you. Come what may, you have promised to always be with me, and I can rest in that. I choose to trust you and declare that fear has no room in my heart, because I am yours. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1. Joshua 1:9 (NIV).

Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.