Day 16 Facing Fears without Being Afraid

Each day I'll post the manuscript of a week-day video devotional I'm sharing called, "Facing fears without being afraid." The videos can be seen on the Chain of Lakes Facebook page.

Good morning, friends. This is day 16 of a weekday video devotional series called, “Facing fears without being afraid.” If you enjoy the content, share it on your own Facebook page, like it, make a comment yourself.

It’s Holy Week—the most important week of the year for our faith. In the devotions this week I’m going to follow Jesus during his last week. We can learn from him about facing fear without being afraid.

In the sermon I shared yesterday, I talked about having a COVID-19 moment. I’m guessing you know what I mean. It’s a moment when we feel overwhelmed; anger, frustration, bewilderment. Life seems out of control.

How many COVID-19 moments do you have during the day. I shared in my sermon that I have about two a day.

Incidentally the sermon can be watched on the worship video which is on the Chain of Lakes Vimeo page—vimeo.com/chainoflakes. It’s also on the Chain of Lakes Facebook page.

How do we look at ourselves after we have a COVID-19 moment? Do we think less of ourselves because we can’t keep our emotions in control; do we label these moments as bad?

I hope not. You and I are experiencing the greatest pandemic since the Spanish Flu Pandemic that started in 1918. We are experiencing the highest amounts of restrictions of our movement in anyone’s lifetime. Just in the church we won’t be able to be together to celebrate Easter, the resurrection of Jesus.

My word of encouragement is not to label our COVID-19 moments. Instead accept them.  We’re human. Just like Jesus.

Jesus had moments. Read Matthew 21:12-17. It’s the story of Jesus overturning the tables at the Temple. Immediately after Jesus entered Jerusalem, he came to the Temple.  He didn’t like what he saw. He was angry about the system of sacrifices that people were required to purchase. You are making this temple, my house, a den of robbers and not a house of prayer.

Jesus was frustrated at what he saw. He expressed his frustration in anger. It doesn’t make him bad. He was sinless. . It means he’s human—just like you and I.

After Jesus expressed his anger, he did something remarkable. Matthew wrote that the blind and lame came to Jesus.  And Jesus healed them.  Jesus didn’t let his anger prevent him from helping.  He got out of himself and helped people who needed helping.          

The same lesson is meant for us. We are called to get out of ourselves and help someone else. 

I’ll remind you of 12 important words—we’re all in this together; this will end; let’s help each other.

When we have these moments today, let them go, and look for ways to help someone.  When we do that, we’re facing our fears without being afraid.