Fear

Yesterday I wrote about how God teaches that we should fear Him, but I also would like to say that He states that we should fear nothing else.
Jesus tells us in the Bible not to worry, rather we should place our trust in Him. I have recently talked with perhaps a dozen different people who have said that they were afraid to fly. Even prior to the terrorist attack, I have seen this sentiment. There is growing fear of Anthrax and other biochemical concerns. People are afraid everywhere.
As Christians we have nothing to fear. Many people experience fear when they perceive that they are not in control, such as when flying on a commercial airplane. Christians realize that God is always in control.
They know that there is a plan for their lives and it will work out precisely as God has ordained and according to His will. God is NOT the co-pilot; He is the pilot.

Flying has long been recognized as the safest mode of transportation.
With all of the intense security measures, it is even safer now.
Although the recent attack was tragic and spectacular, when one considers the sheer volume of flights day in and day out, it is easy to see that this was an anomaly. The odds of your plane being hijacked would be equivalent to winning eighty million bucks in the lottery, or getting hit by a bolt of lightening. It could happen, but chances are slim that it will happen to you. One gentleman who told me he was afraid to fly is vastly overweight and smokes cigarettes like a smokestack. Odds are he will die from heart problems and/or lung cancer, not a terrorist attack. The same holds true for anthrax. Two cases out of 260 million people. That is nothing to fear. It is the fear of the unknown that enables terrorist to strike fear and terror into our population.

Of course we should be vigilant, and I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of the evil that these hate-filled people will sow, but I put my life in Jesus’ capable hands. I’m living my life without fear. I’m not going off the deep end and bungee jumping or rock climbing, but I’m going to live my daily life. The first flight I took after the attack was no different in my mind than the hundreds of others that I routinely take, I wasn’t afraid for even a nana-second. This is not bravado on my part, it is simply taking God at His Word. He loves me, He has a plan for my life, and He will see to it that His plan is fulfilled. Incidentally if His plan is for me is to die as a result of terrorism, then that is fine with me. Eventually I have to die from something, and when I do, I will join Him in paradise for eternity. You see there is nothing to fear when you put your trust in Jesus.

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Phil. 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in
everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your
requests be known to God;
and the peace of God which surpasses
all understanding, will guard
your hearts and minds through
Jesus Christ.