Happy Monday Friends,
This weekend I’ve been on a much needed respite. My dear friend Dee Brestin opened her home to me and I have been blessed. She lives in a lovely house situated on a great lake in Wisconsin and we’ve biked, kayaked, prayed, read, and rested. Sometimes we need breaks in our hectic lives in order to regain our strength and sense of God’s purpose. Dee provided that much needed break for me.

Last night we watched some of the 911 memorial services. They were very moving and brought back many traumatic memories and feelings from that horrible day ten years ago. I started to feel afraid of my flight home today. “What if the terrorists try something today – the day after 9/11?”

We all struggle with fear. Whether it is in these moments of national crisis, or just personal moments of crisis when we can’t reach a loved one for several days or we get a scary diagnosis or our marriage is falling apart. So instead of answering a question from a reader today, I’m going to share with you God’s answer to my fearful heart. He spoke these scriptures to me several weeks ago when I was fearful about a personal crisis, but I reread them this morning and reminded myself of his faithfulness.

Presence: He said, I will be with you always, even to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:20). I will never leave you or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5).

Protection: He said, “If God be for you who could be against you? (Romans 8:31). He will shelter you with his wings, his faithful promises are your armor and protection (Psalm 91:4).

Provision: He said, The Lord is my shepherd, I have all that I need (Psalm 23:1) My grace is sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 12:8) Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously and he will give you everything you need (Matthew 6:33). And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you (Matthew 6:30).

Purpose: He said, And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28). We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Romans 5:3-5).

Peace: He said, I will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stead on him (Isaiah 26:3). My peace I give you, not as the world gives, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27). Don’t be anxious for anything, but by prayer with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace that passes all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). May the Lord of peace himself, give you his peace at all times and in every situation (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Friends, I’ve discovered that the opposite of faith is not doubt, but fear So I must ask myself once again, am I going to believe what God says or am I going to believe my own fearful emotions and scary thoughts?

The psalmist says, “When I am afraid I will trust in you “(Psalm 56:3,4). I choose to trust God. How about you?