There are so many things that can cause us to become fearful, but being a parent is definitely at the top of my list when it comes to feeling afraid. And while there are numerous examples I could give; one has stayed fresh on my mind all these years.

When my oldest daughter was 10 days old, she suddenly stopped breathing one morning. Thankfully I was lying right next to her on the bed, so I quickly grabbed her and started rubbing her back trying to get her breathing. She did start breathing, but it was very labored, and I was sure that if she didn’t get oxygen soon, she was going to die. Being a first-time parent, you bet I felt fear! I was afraid of losing this precious baby I had just brought home a few days before. My husband was at work, but thankfully my parents were staying with me at the time, and they helped me keep her breathing while I drove to the hospital. Once we arrived, she was quickly put on oxygen and within a few hours she was breathing as though nothing had happened. She was hospitalized for two days for observation and further testing, but in the end, I was told that it was most likely a case of SIDS that I had been lucky enough to catch on time. Today my daughter is beautiful and strong adolescent girl who loves Jesus and whose faith and love impacts me every day.  

Our reactions in frightful moments say a lot of what we believe about God. I had no idea what was going to happen to my daughter, but God knew. My husband and I were lifting her up in prayer, our family was praying, and God heard us. He knew I was afraid, but I was trusting in Him and clinging to His promises.

God is love and he conquered fear. What is there to be afraid of when He is greater than it all? Fear comes to distract us, cause doubt, and paralyze us. But if we are in Christ, we are made perfect in Him. Let our initial response in the face of fear be to run to our Heavenly Father, realizing that our lives are in His hands, and understanding that He is there with us every step of the way, even when that road leads us home to Him.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, help me trust you when I am afraid. Help me call unto you because you will answer. Help me accept that your plan is perfect, and your ways are good, even when things don’t happen as we expect. Thank you for being a loving Father who casts out fear when I abide in you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1. 1 John 4:18 (NIV).

Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.