Fear

I've been thinking a lot about fear recently. Fear in my life usually comes in the form of "what if?"
"What if something is wrong with the baby?"
"What if something happens to Michael or the other children?"
"What if our house doesn't sell?"
"What if we can't afford a new house?"

All these questions are rooted in fear. Not that we can't ask or don't ask questions, but I have the tendency to spin out scenarios based on the questions. Then my focus becomes on me and the solutions and options, rather than God. It's so easy; I slip into it before I even realize it. And then hope dissipates and escapes me.

Yesterday, a dear old friend experienced a tragedy in her life that was expected, but still so difficult. Her 8 year old son died after fighting for so long. How Emily, Shawn, and their son Grant have handled this suffering has reminded me where my hope is found. Nothing on this earth compares to knowing Jesus. Really, nothing.

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.
(Stuart Townsend)

As they grieve for Grant, they and I remember that he is singing with His Savior in heaven, and that one day He will wipe away every tear.

So when the questions, the 'what ifs' come, I will remember that nothing can ever take me from my life in Christ. That is where my hope is found.