February 11, 2022
Do Not Fear, God is Near
Kelly Balarie
Today’s Truth
“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” (John 14:27 NIV).
Friend to Friend
The delivery truck was too close for comfort. Worst of all, I was alone in a desolate area by the woods. The slow-moving truck inched up next to me. My heart thumped. My mind raced. Was I going to be taken? Were the people inside looking at me?
Not knowing what to do, I panicked. Sure, that I was about to get abducted, or drugged, or hooded by a sackcloth -- I jumped from one side of the sidewalk to the other and, before I knew it, my feet were stuck deep, in mud. I could barely lift them.
Now I knew: I was in for it. And as soon as I worried, the truck passed by. I stood there, my feet an icky, muddy blob. The whites of my shoes, brown. What did I have to show for fear? A mucky and yucky mess.
Grrr…
Fear is the deep unsaid belief that God isn’t near. It is a reaction to what one thinks is bound to happen. It is a quick impulse that causes more problems than it solves.
This instance isn’t the first-time fear made me jump to conclusions. I remember buying a ton of lice products online because I was sure my daughter had lice. Turns out she didn’t. I likely lost a hundred dollars from that fiasco.
Fear reacts impulsively whereas peace gives space to respond decisively.
I can’t help but think – we may not know what our future holds, we may not have all the answers, we may not be able to predict what people will do, but we do know Jesus left us one thing for all these situations…
Jesus said, “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.” (John 14:27 NIV).
Jesus left us peace.
His peace helps us handle what we figure we can’t handle.
His peace strengthens us when we face uncertainty.
His peace empowers us to listen to others when we want to yell.
His peace gives us pause when we want to react.
His peace comforts us when we get triggered.
His peace creates a path of life when everything looks dead.
Jesus already left us peace, so all we have to do is receive it. It is there for every child of God. Peace is the very thing that helps us to live out the second portion of John 14:27, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
When we receive His peace, we live with fresh courage. When we stop in a scary moment, and open our heart up to His peace, we gain fresh vision. When we pull away from the mayhem of busyness, we find peace and life afresh.
Let’s Pray
Father, You are amazing. You have the whole world in Your hands. You see everything. You know everything. You have good plans. I thank You, that in You, I have everything I need. I thank You that I have peace, through You. Please show me how to receive this peace, in a greater capacity. Please show me how to release peace to others in my daily life. Please teach me how to pause. I need Your help. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Do you tend to react in fear or in peace?
How have you found that fear causes more problems than solutions in your life?
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© 2022 by Kelly Balarie. All rights reserved.
Originally published Friday, 11 February 2022.
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