For some, it’s a definite, identifiable “thing.” Others, it’s just a general sense of being afraid.We’ve just passed another anniversary – COVID was declared a pandemic in March of 2020. Thank God it’s in the rear view mirror now. Thinking back, though, many folks were terrified, living in fear, and perhaps rightfully so. We didn’t know what the heck was going on – not even “experts.”

The virus, and all that surrounded it, worked on folks who were living in fear.

It might have been fear of the virus itself. It killed people. So people living in fear of the virus took steps to protect themselves that others thought were nonsense. I still see the occasional mask these days, and I just assume the person wearing one has a good reason to wear it, at least is their own eyes.

There, too, was the fear of vaccines. Some of those living in fear of vaccines think the science isn’t settled, that there is some nefarious global conspiracy, or other thoughts. Again, folks have good reasons for not getting vaccinated or boosted. That’s fine, too.

Depending on which side you came down on, the truth is that there were those living in fear no matter what the other side said. Who’s right? Beats me, but that’s not the point.

Point is – people are scared.

There are plenty of other Very Bad Things that can cause folks to live in fear.

• Politics. What if my side loses and the other side wins? I could riff on this all day, but my overriding sense is that things are bad now, but they’ve been every bit as bad before. History, people. Check it out. I’d hasten to add that if political shenanigans cause you to live in fear, take a break. Fast from the news. Only engage in those things you can actually do something about. You’ll live longer.
• The economy. People, I’m just about at a place where I’m going to need to take out a second mortgage just to pay for food and gas. I went to buy a pound of ground beef yesterday, and thought I’d need an armed escort to walk me back to the car. I was afraid I’d be mugged for meat and it would then be sold on the black market.
• Morals. Just when I think it can’t get worse, I’ll be danged – it can, and it does. The values I grew up with are routinely spurned, if not ridiculed. Gender issues? I don’t know where to even start. It flies in the face of rational thinking. Celebrating sin? I see that all the time. How folks can be proud of being perverse is beyond me, but hey, I’m a dinosaur, right?

All that’s to say … maybe you’re living in fear. As God is my witness, I am here to say to you: That is not of God.

A couple of distinctions, however.

• There is a difference in fear and legitimate concern. There are irrational fears, certainly. As I write this, we are anticipating our weekly round of bad weather. Ah, the joys of living in Mississippi! This is the third week in a row. I’ve been to Rolling Fork and Amory, and what I saw was beyond comprehension. I grieve for those folks.  But I am not afraid. Being scared isn’t helpful. I can be concerned, because concern will take me to a place of prudence and caution. I’ll watch our weathercasts, and do what I need to do to be safe. See the difference?
• Concern moves you to positive, practical actions. Fear settles into your bone marrow and slowly makes you crazy.

This may sound clinical and cold, but it can help simply to play the odds. The odds are extraordinarily good that we won’t be wiped out by a tornado. I’ve heard people say, regarding the COVID vaccine, “People have died from that!” My response? “Not that many.” I mean, what am I supposed to say? (There’s a little snark there on my part. Maybe you need to add me to your prayer list.)

All this setup about living in fear gives me all the reason I need to give you hope and encouragement.

I expect some of the most fearful people in all the Bible were Jesus’ disciples after the crucifixion. These poor hapless guys. They’d spent literally years with Jesus, saw a lot of amazing things (healings? People being raised from the dead? You know, just typical occurrences in the first century.) He even made this audacious claim that after three days in a tomb He’d come back to life.

The disciples knew all this. It didn’t sink in. Maybe they thought He was speaking metaphorically.

Because, when He was arrested, they bolted and ran. At the crucifixion itself, I’m guessing some of them felt close to despair. They deserted Him because they were flat-out scared, and the best some of them could manage while Jesus was on the cross was to watch from a distance. And after all that, we see the disciples all scrunched up together, behind locked doors because they were afraid. Living in fear, as it were. Muttering things like, “Well, that didn’t go like it was supposed to.”

Then Jesus busts up right in the middle of them. Boo-yah! That scared them, too, but they ended up rejoicing. (Is that a lesson for us or what?)

After the resurrection came the ascension.

At this point, I’m gonna admit to being lazy and instead of the research I should do, I’m going to rely on my admittedly porous memory.

I can’t recall a single time in scripture – specifically in Acts – where there was any word or evidence that would lead me to believe the disciples were living in fear any more. (Feel free to correct me.)

It’s apparent. Experiencing the resurrection eliminated fear.

Want me to belabor the obvious?

In light of the resurrection, which this year we celebrate on April 9, we don’t need to be living in fear any more. The fear of death has been removed. Since that’s the big one, then it stands to reason we don’t have anything else to be afraid of, either.

This is easier said than done, of course. Still, the banishment of fear comes with a complete identification with Jesus Christ and the power that comes from the Holy Spirit. As in all things in life, you don’t have to face your fears alone.

The tomb is empty and the throne is occupied. O be joyful.

Talk soon!