Fear: The Terrified Generation

“Fear that does not take you to God, will take you away from God.”

  On our recent vacation, we had an odd experience. Though this was our fourth year at a cabin in Tennessee, we’re still not familiar with the roads (think narrow country roads through mountains). As we neared southern Kentucky, thunder storms pummeled the area. Our phones began beeping with warnings of flash floods. Not only were we unfamiliar with the roads, we were off the main roads and uncertain of our location. We didn’t know where creeks or rivers were which might potentially flood. We knew there was something to be afraid of, we just didn’t know what it was.

  Fear is like that. Ours is the “terrified generation.” It seems there are more things to be afraid of than at any other point in history.

  For the past two weeks, both political parties have attempted to terrify us into NOT electing the other party’s candidate, painting dark pictures of “doom, gloom and agony.” Put a $10 spot in a jar every time you hear someone say, “This is the most important election of our lifetime,” and you’ll soon have enough for the down payment on your next car.

  A few years ago, the only flu we worried about was, well, the flu. Not today. There’s A, B and C (there are probably more letters…those are the more common ones). There’s the H1N1, H3N2v, Avian and Swine flu. If those don’t cause you to google your symptoms, there’s always Ebola, SARS and now the Zika virus, to give you something to fret about.  

  In the winter it’s Snowmageddon; in the summer it’s Heatzilla. If the economy burps, investors throw up in a panic. Eventually, the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates. Sometimes you wish they’d just do it and get it over with. The media has kept us in a state of anxiety for several years now over “they could raise interest rates.”

  The word “possible” used to be a positive word. Not today. It’s loaded with angst. “Possible terrorist attacks…” “Possible connection between cancer and…” “Possible outbreak of…” If you hear the word “possible” it’s probably not happening right now and may never happen. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be terrified it might happen. I mean, it’s “possible.”

  Parents and children are needlessly being frightened. Kids today are watched 24/7 out of fear someone might abduct them. It’s so bad, “free range parents” (parents who let their children explore the world and learn about it unsupervised) are often ticketed and accused of child neglect.

  Listening to the media, one would think a child predator is behind each corner. Yet, children taken by a stranger or slight acquaintance represent just one-hundredth of 1% of all missing children or a total of 115 annually. There are fewer missing persons – of all ages – today than 20 years ago.

  “We have nothing to fear but fear itself” isn’t quite accurate. There’s a place for healthy fear. Fear can be a God-given warning system. It’s the fear of being killed that makes you look both ways before crossing a busy street. It’s the fear of being bitten that causes you to stay away from a rattlesnake. Healthy fear releases adrenalin, preparing you to flee or fight. It’s a good kind of fear which protects you.

  Most Christians need a healthier fear of sin and its potential to poison our souls. Too many are afraid of what we shouldn’t fear, yet are cavalier, if not brazen about that which should strike dread in our souls.

  Yet, there’s an epidemic of toxic fear which damages us, resulting in a lack of faith. It paralyzes us. It’s timeless and universal. No one is immune. Though a powerful emperor, Julius Caesar was so afraid of thunder, he hid under his bed during storms. Peter the Great, the feared Russian Czar, was so paranoid of bridges he refused to use them. Many allow irrational fear to keep them from enjoying life. Worse, toxic fear handicaps us spiritually.

  The first step in dealing with fear is to determine if it’s healthy or unhealthy. The best inoculation for unhealthy fear is God’s Word. Faith is the antidote for fear. Faith comes from immersing ourselves in Scripture. Those who suffer with unhealthy fear are rarely people of the Book.

  King David struggled with fear, usually healthy fear. He had powerful enemies plotting to kill him. David wrote one of my favorite verses, Psalm 56:3: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” As a boy, when I struggled with childish fear my Mom gave me that verse. Do you struggle with fear? The book of Psalms is powerful, spiritual medicine that you need. In Psalm 55 David shares the cure for some of our common fears.

  Are you afraid of bad people? David was afraid of the “enemy,” “the wicked” and those with a “grudge” against him. Last week a priest in France was murdered by terrorists. Churches used to be sanctuaries of safety; every church today must consider security issues unheard of a few years ago. David knew it was God who kept him safe. No one can touch us unless God allows it. Our safety is in our omnipotent Heavenly Father.

  Are you afraid of the future? David was afraid of what might happen. “Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me” (vs. 5). Most of us fear the future. As you look toward the rest of this year, are there feelings of dread? What about the next few years? Is there uneasiness in your spirit? Those feelings aren’t from God. 2 Timothy 1:7, “God has not given us the spirit of fear.” David’s solution is found in verse 22 of Psalm 55, “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you.” Give your fears to God so it’s no longer your “worry.”

  Are you afraid of death? David wrote, “The terrors of death have fallen upon me” (vs. 4). Christians don’t need to fear death. Paul wrote while we experience sorrow at the death of a loved one, we don’t sorrow in the same way as those with no hope. The Bible promises death, for the Christian, is a transfer, a promotion. You’re not ready to live until you’re ready to die.

  Only a fool goes through life, unprepared for something everyone knows is inevitable. “For, to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) It’s a win-win for the believer. If we live, it’s in the spiritual presence of Jesus now. If we die, it’s gain because it’s the literal presence of Jesus!

  Faith and fear can’t co-exist, so feed your faith with God’s Word and your fears will starve to death! The answer isn’t found in running from your fears, it’s found in running to the Father you can always trust! 

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If you can read this, thank your doctor, nurse, X-ray technician, Pharmacist...

“Wherever the art of Medicine is loved, there is also a love of Humanity.”  Hippocrates

Can you imagine what our lives would be like without doctors and nurses, and all of the other blessings of modern medicine? I can’t and I honestly have no desire to. They are so much a part of our lives in Western culture, that we just take them for granted. We forget that they haven’t always been there and that much of the world still does not have access to modern medicine.

  It is truly a privilege today to welcome medical professionals as our honored guests to Grace Church today! We know that in our fast paced world, too often, we simply fail to stop and say, Thank You! We hope that our Biscuit Brunch and worship service this morning communicates in a small way how thankful we are for each one of you and the blessing that you are in our lives! You often see us at our weakest points and we appreciate you!

  While there are exceptions, nearly all of us had a doctor and nurse present when we were born. It’s very probable that we will have a doctor and nurse present when we die. Nearly all of us have made more trips than we want to count to the Emergency Room, particularly if you’re the parent of an highly active child J. Many of us have had to dial 911 at one time or another for some medical emergency. Some of us have had to be taken to a medical facility in an ambulance. Perhaps you’re here today because a doctor, or surgeon or nurse performed some lifesaving procedure that spared your life…perhaps, they saved the life of a loved one.

  When we’re sick, we don’t give it a second thought when we call up a doctor and ask for a prescription or make an appointment, though they usually prefer that you come in so that they can make sure that the prognosis of you or your child’s condition is accurate. If there’s a chronic medical situation that seems to be hidden, there are technicians who do EKGs, EEGs and MRIs to check your body out more thoroughly to learn what the problem is. You don’t have to guess when you have a broken bone or even how serious the break might be. We have X-rays that reveal  exactly what is broken. Just by looking at the images on an X-ray, a doctor is able to locate the problem and determine the best remedy.

  Just consider all of the medicines we have available today that can completely eliminate the symptoms of many maladies and conditions. Physicians routinely prescribe drugs for reducing fever, alleviating an upset stomach or pain so as to increase the patient’s comfort level. Through the elimination of those uncomfortable symptoms, a patient can resume a normal life almost immediately after treatment. Just think of all of the over the counter medicines and other medical supplies you can find even at a gas station: Tylenol, Rolaids, and Band-aids in all shapes and sizes. 

  Just a hundred years ago, many of the diseases that are little more than a cold today were frequently a death sentence. Even today much of the world still lacks access to basic medical care. More than 200 million children worldwide under age 5 do not get basic health care which results in nearly 10 million deaths annually from treatable ailments like diarrhea and pneumonia. Antibiotics that we take for granted, that cost less than $0.30, just aren’t available for so many in the world. Often those needing medical care in developing countries have to walk six hours or more for any type of medical care. Maybe we should think about that the next time that we have to wait in a doctor’s office or Emergency Room and are tempted to complain about having to wait.  

  With all of the heated political debate, finger pointing and partisan saber rattling in recent years in America, our medical professionals are often “collateral damage.” Some have even been hurt by “friendly fire.” Because of the frustration with the system, our human tendency is to vent our frustration and even anger at the caregiver who is on the frontlines, trying to take care of us. Add to that, they’re often stretched very thin, as is nearly every other industry in America, with attempting to serve the same amount of patients with less staff and resources. And tragically, what has been lost in all of the debate and rhetoric is a deep, heartfelt gratitude for those countless committed medical professionals who are so committed to making our lives safer, easier and healthier.

  Because of them, illnesses like the flu are usually little more than a hassle.  They have often spent years and thousands of dollars to study medicine and then are continually educating themselves on the latest procedures and medicines, treatments and maladies so that they can care for us in the best way possible. I know that I’m personally so thankful for the many doctors, nurses, and support staff who go far beyond the call, for whom it’s not just a job, they truly care and want to make a difference in people’s lives.

  Today at Grace Church, we want to stop and say, “Thank You!” for your commitment to others! We know you don’t hear it enough. We know that you are often seeing individuals at the lowest points of their lives and they often forget that you are not just doing a job or earning a pay check. So thank you, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!

  May today echo in your heart during the coming days, weeks, and even months. May it encourage you to know that your commitment is being noticed, that you are truly making a difference, and we greatly appreciate you and all that you do! Thank you!!