I once taught a lesson on a Wednesday night about fears and doubts. I asked all the kids to write on little slips of paper things that made them afraid. The responses ranged from, "I fear that I'll fail my math class" to "I'm scared of dying and going to hell" to "I'm scared I'll end up in prison like my uncle." I expected some pretty heavy responses, but it turned out to be even a more sobering illustration that I had planned.
There is much in this world to be afraid of - just take some of the news making items this week:
The Taliban is gaining a footing in Pakistan, a nation with nuclear capabilities.
The swine flu is spreading all across the globe. Even a case in Charleston.
Hundreds of thousands more people registered for unemployment benefits because they had lost their jobs.
And this wasn't a particularly crazy week as far as news headlines go. Add that to all the worries of every day life: Bills, work, bills, kids, did I mention bills? You can see how we get so stressed out. Our kids don't get a pass on the worries of life either. Sometimes we're tempted to think that since they don't "grown up" problems like mortgages, then they're living the good-life and should just enjoy the ride of carefree youth. They have to worry about grades, college, which friends are actually friends, whether or not a boy/girl will ever love them for who they are, and they even have to worry about the question, "Who am I, really?"
I think as a youth ministry we need to be teaching kids how to have peace in the face of fear and uncertainty. I think I John 4:18 is the perfect place to start the conversation with our kids. It says: There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out all fear, because fear has to do with punishment. It starts with the dedication to tell and show kids that they are loved. Not just by their parents (although that's hugely important) or by me (though I hope they know they are) or by their cell group leaders - but by God. That perspective makes all the difference in the world.
Jesus puts it this way in Luke 12:4-6: 4"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. (Luke 12:4-6)
If you stop after verse five, as people are known to do, this could actually seem to make things even more scary. It makes it sound like Jesus is saying - "You think these people are bad? Just wait until God gets a hold of you. He can kill your body and soul." But verse 6 is important. God doesn't let birds suffer, because he cares so much about them. You, and our kids, are more important to God than birds. He will take care of us. Even though this world can hurt and even kill our bodies - it cannot touch our eternal soul.
As Christians, we are not given a spirit of timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline (I Timothy 1:7) and if God is for us, then who can be against us (Romans 8:31)? As such, we should not live in fear about the things of this world. If the world seems to be getting worse around us (which its always been pretty bad), we need to know that no matter how bad it gets, we have the peace of knowing that our souls can be entrusted to God.
1 comment:
There is certainly much to be afraid of these days, and much to be anxious about if we don't trust that God will make it all okay in the end. We certainly do have the responsibility of giving our children the tools they need to handle whatever emotion comes their way (and it can change by the second with teenage girls, I have learned) whether it be fear, emptiness, anger, elation, etc. It is particularly important that we teach our kids to handle fear by trusting God and His plan for us (Jer. 29:11) because, unbridled fear can lead to unfounded fear, leading to anxiety, leading to a life of useless worry, etc. I have known many people who live their lives worrying about things they can't control. It just seems like such a miserable and ungodly way to live.
The song we often sing "Be strong and courageous and do not be afraid..." is sound advice given by Godly men(to say the least), and even by God himself. Moses says these words to the Isrealites in Deut 31:6 as he was about to hand power over to Joshua; then turns and repeats it almost verbatim to Joshua in vs 7-8. A few pages over in Joshua 1:5-7, and again in vs 9, God himself repeats the encouraging words to Joshua. In IChron. 28:20, David gives the exact same fatherly advice to Solomon who is about to undertake the monumental task of building the temple. It's also interesting that in each of these passages, it also repeats that God will never leave us or forsake us. Fear is about perspective. If we are looking at the world through worldly eyes, everything seems scary. If we learn to look at situations in the big picture of eternity, most situations don't seem so frightening after all.
These words are used so often in scripture that I feel like I can hear God whispering them to me when I pray for him to remove fear from my heart. Wouldn't it be so liberating if we would all memorize and quote 2 Tim 1:7, then sing God's own words of advice everytime we felt a spirit of fear in our heart?
Sorry to ramble on:)
Angie
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