The 'F' Word

I have never really been a panicker. I tend to live spontaneously and jump at opportunities when they arise, thriving off the unknown and adrenaline. As a child, I was the one to battle through blackberry brambles to climb the tallest tree in the bush whilst tied to a homemade rope swing, then swing across the rushing river balancing an enormous dead lobster in one arm to a beach with crocodile warning signs everywhere whereby I would run and dive straight into the water (these are all true... but just not quite at the same time)! I was fearless with a capital F.

But then something dramatic happened to me when I had kids - a sensation I had never known crept inside my internal world and dug its roots down deep. It felt like an impostor had come in and strangled the life out of my carefree, adventurous self and implanted fear and worry in its place. This had been such an unknown experience for me that, at first, I hadn't even recognised it for what it was. My rational mind continued on confidently and with absolute certainty, but my body was signalling other truths very loudly and rudely. It was very inconvenient and, overtime, crippling. The fear that my baby wouldn't sleep; the fear that I might damage him if I let him cry; the risk of him contracting an illness; the fear of him not knowing where I am. The list goes on.

Whilst many of those fears have subsided, others have taken their places. Concerns about how they will settle into kindergarten and school; worry about their development or behaviour; fear of them being hurt in an accident when they are far from our reach. And now the COVID-19, otherwise known as the coronavirus. Our responses to this pandemic will vary in extremes - I am a pretty 'relaxed' mum but then I have other friends who have packed up their kids and moved down to their little beach shack in order to do self-isolation until the crazies subside. Some advice says to keep calm and carry on, and others say that we have waited too late and the consequences will be widespread. It doesn't bring a lot of reassurance, does it? And the "she'll be right" attitude so many Australians are famous for having may well not be enough anymore. Somebody, please pass the wine!

So how on earth do we navigate these times? The sheer anxiety of knowing what the 'right' thing to do is can be overwhelming and many parents may be silently suffering with the weight of decision making: to send to school, to home school, to isolate, to assume normality, to panic, to not panic, to stockpile, to say farewells, to fear. And this is a fear with a capital F. This Fear may take on a whole range of expressions - from overwhelming fear about being home with their kids for weeks on end (let's be honest, mummas!), fearing that their business won't survive this pandemic, or that their jobs will disappear and they will have no income. Or dare I say it, our greatest fear, that we may lose a loved one. Fear is one of the enemy’s most popular weapons that he uses against us. Worry, anxiety, fear… all of these can overwhelm us with a thick shadow of darkness, controlling our every move and decision. God have mercy.

With each day being clouded by different information and a completely unknown future, the very best thing we can do is cling to the one thing that doesn't change. Our world is in the grip of a collective panic attack and the foundations feel shaky, but our living and loving God does . not . change. Period. His character is not dependent on the decisions of men, or on statistics, or the latest recommendations. He always was, always is, and always will be. And He is the one to which we can look for wisdom and guidance as we stumble through this unprecedented time. Did you know that there are an enormous amount of verses in the bible about fear? Doesn't that speak volumes about God's knowledge of life lived on earth and how deeply rooted fear is in human nature. This is a time for us to read and meditate and memorise and pray through these verses and truths. Here are some to get you started:

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ~ Isaiah 41:10

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." ~ Psalm 56:3

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 4:6-7

“Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.” ~ John 14:27

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” ~ Psalm 23:4

“Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.” ~ 1 Peter 5:6-7

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” ~ Psalm 27:1

Write these out. Stick them around your home. Say them with your family. Memorise them with your kids. Message them to someone. Think on them throughout the day. And if fear and anxiety are following you through both the day and night, then consider adopting the practice of Breath Prayers. A wonderful thing to do in the heightened moments of worry and fear.

Now for an honest truth : these unknown times often serve as a reminder that we are not God. We are not in control. We are not as secure as we thought we were. Maybe we’re even faced with our own mortality or the mortality of those we love. This is a sobering reality, but it is also a gift of mercy from God and a chance to receive this Grace. If you are not sure where you stand in relationship with God or what you’re living for, this could be your opportunity to turn to God and follow him wholeheartedly. Trust in something bigger than yourself. When the world shakes, our foundations are revealed. What determines our security or happiness? Where is our hope found?

I am praying that each of us to remember where our help comes from and to lean on the power of the Spirit for each moment in every day - not getting ahead of ourselves, but walking in the grace for that moment. My dear friend, we follow a God who created ALL things, and has ALL knowledge and ALL power. While we don’t understand the way He works or always see His goodness right away, we trust that His character never changes or fails. As scary as this feels for us - no matter what grief or trial we will face - He is in control, He has a plan, and He is working to restore this world and bring all things back to glorious fullness and wholeness.

“He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Revelation 21:1-5

We might still feel unsure, but we can believe that God is with us. We may not be in control, but we can trust the One who is. We may not know the future, but we can know the God who does. Do not fear, my sister. You are not alone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6seZhG6MWF4