Be Afraid of Everything

A casual look at today’s newspapers causes me to think that I should be hiding under my bed terrified the world is about to end. Right now there seems to be a million things to be afraid of. Let’s take a look at some of them.

· Fear of economic collapse. I think I have heard this claim since the Ford administration, way back when I was thirteen. Even though the economy is bad and I’d like to see it improve, the great economic collapse still hasn’t arrived.

· Fear of terrorism. The bad guys got us pretty bad on 9/11, but we’ve taken the fight to them. Our armed forces and police men and women have done a wonderful job of protecting us. I’ll continue to put my faith and trust in them.

· Fear of Big Government. From what I can see, the government has built the roads I drive on, the bridges I cross, the schools I have attended and the hospitals I have checked into. I really have no complaints about government continuing to create the infrastructure that I benefit from.

· Fear of illegal immigration. I’ve been told that illegal’s are a danger to me but I really haven’t seen it. On the other hand, to Native Americans the Plymouth colonists were illegal immigrants. Since things didn’t work out too well for the natives, maybe I should be sharpening my spear.

There have also been many things I’ve been told to be afraid of in the past that have simply disappeared from the news. What happened to the War on Drugs? Did we win? Remember Voter Fraud? Did anyone ever go to jail for that? And one of my personal favorites, the imminent threat of vaccines. I don’t know about you, but if a doctor wants to stick a needle in my arm for my benefit, I’ll say yes every time.

Even Jesus tells us the world will end in a fiery apocalypse. In chapters 23 and 24 of Matthew, Jesus tells his followers to prepare for the end times. The signs will be present for all to see and the great Day of Judgment will come at last. But in the midst of these catastrophic descriptions Jesus tells his followers not to be fearful. “But he who stands firm to the end will be saved”, Matthew 24:13.

And don’t forget about that masterpiece of fearless preaching, the Sixth Chapter of Matthew. In it Jesus tells us not to worry about anything, because God will provide.

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:31-33.

So put away your weapons my friends and come out from under your beds. Our God given faith will see us through today’s troubles and tomorrow’s.

God bless you,

Pastor Bill