“Watch out for deer.”
My palms were sweaty pools while my 17-year-old son drove along the curved, rural highway. There were no guard rails, only pine trees growing on the edge of the foothills.
As we came to a hair-pin turn, my right foot pushed against the car mat.
“Speed limit is 25 M.P.H.”
I tried not to be a backseat driver. I tried to relax, enjoy the journey. But no amount of caution on my son’s part could loosen my death grip on personal safety.
As the foothills became mountainous, and we arrived to Lake Tahoe, I was exhausted—anticipating danger that never came.
I was born with a fearful nature.
Growing up, no one told me twice to avoid hazards. Life came with a warning label, and I complied. Being a safety patrol leader and Girl Scout taught me to be safe, and prepared for emergencies.
When I got married and had children, fear deepened. “What if” something horrible happens to them? I have to keep them safe.
Converting fear into faith is a continuous, nail-biting lesson.
When the world news fans my fear, I remember…..
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” (Psalm 46:1, 2)
When my mind entertains what ifs, I remember….
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)
When I’m faced with the unknown, I remember…
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
I remember, but I need to BELIEVE.
God knows the human tendency to be afraid.
Throughout the Bible, when God called people to action, He assured them, “Fear not. I am with you.”
Even so, people often succumbed to fear rather than BELIEVE GOD.
When I gave the car keys to my son, it was a vote of confidence. My anxious behavior suggested otherwise.
When I was “born again,” I gave God authority over my life…trusting Him to guide me and be present even in the storms.
But when fear detours me from following God, or resting in His promises, I’m saying,
I don’t trust you. I want to be in the driver’s seat.
And that attitude gets me nowhere, except a path of misery.
What is your first response when you’re afraid?
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Even In This 
I’m a very paranoid person – I think death is always just around the bend – but I’ve learned to not worry about those sorts of things. Mostly by praying with thanksgiving and accepting the fact that what I’m worried about might happen. It just occurred to me that maybe I ought to try that with worrying about making people mad because I haven’t gotten over that yet or fear of failure. I guess I still have plenty of worries to work on! Btw, I’ve taught 4 kids to drive and loved your description of the experience, Karen!
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Aristotle said “Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil.”
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Good post, Karen! I like the following quote; it’s so true – “Converting fear into faith is a continuous, nail-biting lesson.”
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Thank you. I imagine any fear you have is different than mine. In fact, as I was riding with someone yesterday, and had to distract myself from watching the road, I realized, fear is relative. Some folks are afraid of spiders, other people fear heights. I’m NOT AFRAID of speaking in front of strangers and yet public speaking is one of people’s top fears. I can walk into a jail room filled with women inmate and share the gospel. No fear! The point isn’t what we fear, but not letting fear take the place of God’s peace.
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