Fearful.

A couple of days ago a family of 6 in a nearby small town were attacked and brutally killed. A mother, father and their 3 teenage children ages 16, 14, & 11 were all found dead at the scene. A 3 year old baby was also attacked but is in stable condition at a larger hospital about an hour & a half away from where we live. They do not have any suspects and are not releasing much information related to the murder. This has thrown our small town into a state of utter panic, despair and anxiety. In all honesty, fear has gripped many of us. Fear is a scary thing.

The Bible speaks many times about fear. It is easy in so many circumstances to cling to the Word of God who redeems us. However, I have always believed that the hardest vices to conquer are those that are internal. Our external sins are sometimes easiest to rid. Inside there is often a huge war battling and raging inside of us. Such things as fear, anxiety, insecurity, lust and temptation often settle into our internal spirit and set out to destroy us. It is in these moments when I realize how vital it truly is to personally know a Lord who can overcome even the deepest and most painful thought, feeling or internal sin.

I haven't slept much over the last couple of nights. I am fearful. I admit it. Although I am still clinging to the Word and asking God to pour over me an intense peace that I have never experienced before. I refuse to be gripped by this overwhelming fear of the unknown. My God is all knowing and I trust Him to protect me both physically and internally. In my mind. In my spirit. In my body. I trust his protection. I want to bathe in His peace.

Here are a couple verses about fear that I often think about and dwell upon from the Word of God. I pray that today, whatever you may be fearful of would disappear under the power these promises!

"Fear not, for I am with you;be not dismayed, for I am your God;I will strengthen you, I will help you,I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
--Isaiah 41:13--

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

--2 Timothy 1:7--

"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

--Deuteronomy 31:7--

So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper;I will not fear;what can man do to me?”

--Hebrews 13:6--

Please visit www.pantagraph.com to keep updated on the story of this family. Many prayers are needed to get a community through this most difficult time.