Fighting Fear

I reread a story in my Bible tonight that really got my attention in light of the current state of the world and the pandemic, COVID-19.  It reads as follows:

Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet.  He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled, and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame.  And his name was Mephibosheth.

2 Samuel 4:4

Our Gunner will turn five in just a couple weeks.  He can’t wait!  Hahaha….isn’t that how it’s supposed to be?  Children should be celebrated as they are a gift from God. :0) Mephibosheth’s dad, Jonathan, died when Mephibosheth was only five years old.  That hits a little close to home!  Given the recent pandemic prognosis, it would be easy to become anxious at this possibility living here in PNG.  Weighty stuff to consider on a Sunday evening.

Still, this story so captures the effects of fear driven actions and how crippling they can be—literally AND figuratively!!! Mephibosheth was not born lame.  As his nurse was fleeing with him, he fell and BECAME lame.  The nurse was fleeing because she was scared (my interpretation)…and rightfully so because her master, King Saul and his replacement and son, Jonathan, were now both dead, and what did that mean for Mephibosheth and all those looking after him?  He was at risk.

As a parent, I don’t want my children at risk.  Nothing new there.  I’m sure all you parents out there can resonate with that sentiment.  However, it is not within our control to shield them entirely from the pain, hurt, sickness or other hard things that might occur in their lifetimes. 

I was recently listening to an interview from around the time of Hurricane Katrina and, Sara Groves, a singer/songwriter, asked the question, “What do I want to have shown my kids?”  What a brave question!!!  She shared that when she was a mother of little ones, she felt scared about what she was bringing them up in.  She continued saying that she was praying that they would just “make it through,” and she felt as though she was just “hugging the wall.”  And then?  Things changed.  She went on to say that when she realized it was NOT what she wanted to be showing her kids…. “I want them to see me like running with my head thrown back!” was how she captured that transformation in her thinking.   I want that too!!!  I don’t want my kiddos to see me so consumed with fear that I cripple both them and me.  I want them to see me resolved in my conviction, passionate about sharing Jesus, and confident in the goodness of God! 

Will you join me in praying that comes to pass?  Not just for the sake of my children but for yours too and for others around the globe that might not have parents praying for them.  As believers in Jesus and followers of Him, we have the privilege to shine at this dark time in the world’s history!  For God’s Glory!!!

Gunner ready to take on whatever Fears you may have!

Sometimes it is nice to just have someone to ride out the storm with!

.....Maybe you're ready to conquer with some fellow pirates....

In the end when we get to see the painted master piece it will all make sense.....until then just trust the Artist!