Faith,
Family & Community
It is the spooky season again. The time of year when we allow ourselves to be scared with costumes and movies, mostly all in fun. But, this year, there seems to be more reality than fiction which is frightful to many.
What causes you fear? What panics you or causes you dread? Politics and elections and protests? War? Paying your bills? Being alone? Public speaking? Failure? Monsters under the bed? Darkness?
In Deuteronomy 20 we hear these words: Do not lose heart, or be afraid, or panic or be in dread… The author is speaking about going to war and inspiring those hearing these words to trust in God. These words are good for us to hear again. For what causes us fear is not bigger than our God.
Adam Hamilton has a book titled Unafraid. In the book he encourages us to: 1. Face fears with faith. 2. Examine assumptions in light of facts. 3. Attack anxieties with action. 4. Release one’s cares to God. What do you think of his FEAR approach?
Hamilton tells the story of being 16. His high school Spanish class had traveled to Mexico City. One evening he went for a walk by himself which was against the rules. He soon lost his bearings and was lost in a city of 20 million people in the days before cell phones. Hamilton could not remember the name or location of the hotel. Walking the streets, he became increasingly anxious. Then Adam began to sing hymns. He didn’t know why, but he sang these hymns to God. And felt a peace come over him. Kept singing until suddenly he was on a familiar block. Suddenly, Adam was back at his hotel. He says he had sung his way from lost to found. By singing, Adam released his fears to God.
One of my scariest moments occurred 13 years ago. We got a call that my mom, 10 days after a heart attack and 2 days after being released from the hospital had another heart attack. Anne and I were living in Kansas City at that time and, obviously, needed to head back to Oklahoma. Snow had just started to fall. Tried to pack in a hurry without knowing what was needed. Stopped for gas. Hurrying. Afraid. The snow was falling heavier. At some point, we took a deep breath and realized there was nothing we could do. We just needed to get there safely. We said out loud, “What will be will be and God has it.” In that moment we released our cares to God. Kept driving. My mom passed before we could arrive. It was ok. We had calm and peace in our hearts.
In this scary day and time, friends, do not lose heart or be afraid or panic or be in dread. God has you. Peace.
Kelly Ingersoll, Minister Kelly Ingersoll is the Pastor of First Christian Church of Macomb and resides in Macomb with his wife Anne.
