"...But even if He doesn't..."

Have you ever thought about fear? I think it's safe to say that we all battle fear in certain areas and seasons of our lives; let's face it... we aren't superhumans. Fear creeps up on us in different forms. For example, you might be afraid that you're never going to start your career and instead you'll find yourself stocking shelves at Reasors with three different degrees, and a boat load of debt. Or maybe you're afraid that your parents are about to get a divorce and you blame yourself for not being "good enough" for your dad to stick around. Or maybe you're afraid of living a mediocre life, and never truly making an impact anywhere or on anyone. Maybe you're afraid that you'll never find the man or woman of your dreams, or that you'll end up with the wrong person. Maybe you want to see God in a new way, but you're afraid that if you lay hands on someone and pray for them that God won't heal that person and you'll end up looking like a fool.

There are billions of different fears that each of us deal with; however, I find that they are all a lack of trusting that God has the very best for us and that He will provide it for us at the appointed time.

This summer I am a nanny for a sweet family here in Tulsa, and my little kids are 2 years old and 4 years old. Each morning when I arrive to their house, they see my face and instantly assume that my arrival means that Mom is leaving them. As you can probably infer, this causes an emotion of panic to rise up in both of them. The mom is pregnant and at home on bedrest due to some complications, so she stays home every day; however, the little ones still plead to her each morning "Mommy, please don't go!" They are afraid that she is going to leave for work regardless of how many times she says that she's not leaving.

I think we sometimes act this way toward God in our seasons of fear. We see the face of a challenge before us, and we can't help but assume that we are facing this one on our own. We allow ourselves to believe the lie that the presence of hardship means the absense of God. This is one of the greatest lies the enemy will ever try to tell you. God is trying to convince us that He isn't going anywhere... He's never going to leave us.


There's a story in Daniel chapter 3 about three boys, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and they were living in Babylon among other men and women under a man named King Nebuchadnezzar. The King had created a giant gold statue and the people were told that every time they heard the sound of music they were to stop what they were doing and bow before the statue, and whoever did not bow down would immediately be thown into a blazing furnace. The three boys, however, did not serve the King. They served a higher King, a King they believed to be the King of all Kings. They paid no attention to King Neb, and refused to serve him or his gods. When King Neb heard of them, he was furious. So he called for the three boys and asked them if what he had been told was true. Here is their response: "King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing fire, the God we serve is able to deliver us and He will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. But even if He doesn't, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold that you have set up."

"...But even if He doesn't..."

We are given a choice: Trust God or doubt. Too often we choose the latter. We don't immediately see the fruit of our prayers, so we fear that God is too busy and He's about ready to leave us. But at what point do we decide to relinquish our fear and our doubt and truly trust that God knows what He's doing... He is able, and He will... but even if He doesn't - will you trust that He is always good? That he hand picked you to be here at this time? That he planted those dreams and those passions and talents inside of you for a specific and important reason?

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. -Isaiah 40:26

He hasn't forgotten about you. Choose to trust Jesus, rather than fear your circumstances. He isn't going anywhere. He's on your team, and you can do ANYTHING through Him.