Publisher: Say no to fear, trust in Christ

By Brian Whitmore

Fear, he is a liar

He will take your breath

Stop you in your steps

Fear he is a liar

He will rob your rest

Steal your happiness

Cast your fear in the fire

'Cause fear he is a liar

- Zach Williams

During the pandemic, I see people gripped by fear. Pastor said Sunday: Fear is focusing on the problem and faith is focusing on God.

Satan’s most powerful weapon is fear.

“He tricks you into believing your fear is reality.” (Encounter: The Series – Delivery).

On a sign at a nearby farm:

F alse

E vidence

A ppearing

R eal

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

– Ephesians 6:12

But Christians are to be bold and fearless.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

– 2 Timothy 1:7

For five months, some people have quit living - terrified they will contract Covid-19. It is a real virus and it can be dangerous, particularly to those with underlying health conditions. But we should not live in fear.

God gives us a brain and adrenaline – fight or flight – response to protect us from danger. When we know there is a danger, we should try to avoid it.

I take precautions with my family. We social distance every chance we get. We wear a mask when we can’t social distance or when it is asked of us. We sanitize our hands often.

We go to work. We get groceries. We go to church. We visit relatives and friends.

We went to a rodeo and on a train-ride recently, and had fun, while social distancing.

Could I get Covid-19 tomorrow? Yes. Could my wife or daughter contract it at any time? Yes.

Some would say, “You have not done enough. Stop going to church, stop visiting family and friends. Stop the fun stuff.”

Others would say, “Lose the job. Grow your on food.”

I could do all of this and still get sick. My family could still get sick.

God is the great physician. He is in control. I trust Him, whatever happens.

It’s easy to say that when my family and I are not sick. It is harder to say that when sickness comes.

Sick or not, I turn to Him – I have nowhere else to turn. Because even when I am physically well, I struggle with sin sickness. Jesus is the only cure for my sin sickness. He’s the only cure for my physical ailments.

Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

– Psalm 103:2-3

Turn to Him. There is no fear in Christ, only peace.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

– Matthew 11:28-30

Brian Whitmore is the publisher of The Chronicle. Whitmore can be reached at publisher@clintonchronicle.net