A Word for Our Arbor Family
Fear.
It can creep in when we least expect it, or it can come full force and hit us like a freight train. We know the Bible tells us, "Do not fear." In fact, that command appears more than 300 times throughout Scripture. But what happens when fear still wells up within us? Does God grow weary of our anxiety? Does He distance Himself when we struggle to trust? The answer, thank God, is No.
If you’re a parent, you’ve likely experienced a child waking you up in the middle of the night, frightened by a noise or a bad dream. A loving father doesn’t rebuke his child for being afraid. Instead, he gathers that child into his arms, offers comfort, and assures them of safety. He doesn’t expect perfection, he simply wants his child to come to him.
In the same way, our Heavenly Father meets us in our fear. Psalm 34:4 reminds us, “I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” God doesn’t shame us for being afraid; He invites us to draw near and receive His peace. Jesus offers this beautiful reassurance in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” His peace is not a fleeting emotion. It is a deep, sustaining presence that guards our hearts and minds.
As Jesus said in Matthew 7:11, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Among the greatest of those gifts is peace in the midst of fear.
God's desire is not that we live pretending fear doesn't exist, but that we come to Him with it. Like a good Father, He wraps us in His love and whispers, “You are safe with Me.”
This week, when fear arises, take a moment to sit in your Father’s presence. Tell Him what’s troubling you. Rest in His arms. Because no matter what comes, His love casts out fear (1 John 4:18), and His perfect peace is yours to receive.
It can creep in when we least expect it, or it can come full force and hit us like a freight train. We know the Bible tells us, "Do not fear." In fact, that command appears more than 300 times throughout Scripture. But what happens when fear still wells up within us? Does God grow weary of our anxiety? Does He distance Himself when we struggle to trust? The answer, thank God, is No.
If you’re a parent, you’ve likely experienced a child waking you up in the middle of the night, frightened by a noise or a bad dream. A loving father doesn’t rebuke his child for being afraid. Instead, he gathers that child into his arms, offers comfort, and assures them of safety. He doesn’t expect perfection, he simply wants his child to come to him.
In the same way, our Heavenly Father meets us in our fear. Psalm 34:4 reminds us, “I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” God doesn’t shame us for being afraid; He invites us to draw near and receive His peace. Jesus offers this beautiful reassurance in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” His peace is not a fleeting emotion. It is a deep, sustaining presence that guards our hearts and minds.
As Jesus said in Matthew 7:11, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Among the greatest of those gifts is peace in the midst of fear.
God's desire is not that we live pretending fear doesn't exist, but that we come to Him with it. Like a good Father, He wraps us in His love and whispers, “You are safe with Me.”
This week, when fear arises, take a moment to sit in your Father’s presence. Tell Him what’s troubling you. Rest in His arms. Because no matter what comes, His love casts out fear (1 John 4:18), and His perfect peace is yours to receive.