Fear Stops Here
In March 2020, we began learning more about viruses and how they spread than we ever cared to know. Among other things, we learned that viruses are contagious, they need a host to survive, they spread person-to-person, and that certain actions may help slow their transmission and/or mitigate their impact.
Viruses are not the only infective agent our world grapples with; there is an infective agent arguably even more prevalent than viruses: fear.
Like a virus, fear is contagious, it needs a host to survive, and it is spread person-to-person.
Unlike a virus, the spread of fear doesn’t require physical proximity. Its spread simply requires communication: conversations, texts, emails, social media, news media, etc., thereby making it even more contagious than a virus.
Unfortunately, there is no vaccination, physical barrier or social distancing that can slow or prevent the spread of fear. However, that doesn’t mean there is nothing to be done!
You can cultivate your own immunity to fear, and stop its spread, by:
Looking back to past situations when God came through for you in times great difficulty. Write them down, including what your fears were, how you hoped to resolve them, how they were actually resolved, how long it took, etc. Revisit this list often.
Looking down to find your next step. Remember, trust in God doesn’t mean turning everything over to him and doing nothing. Nor does it mean looking far out to the horizon and making fearful assumptions about the future based on your current circumstances. It means deciding what, now, is within your power to do, and taking a first step.
Looking out to others whom you can encourage regarding their fears and concerns. Encouraging peace in others helps create peace within you.
The peace created by these three steps is also contagious, because peace is inhaled and exhaled, just like a virus.
Jesus instructed his disciples many times to not be fearful, anxious, or worried, including during his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:25-34), in his final instructions before his crucifixion (John 16:33), and when he first appeared to the disciples following his resurrection (John 20:19).
Jesus is also calling you to release your fear, anxiety and worry, and to be the non-anxious, peace-making presence in all your networks. Will you answer his call?
Adapted from The Reverend Andrew Forrest’s sermon: Fear Stops Here