Was That All?

Genesis 26:24 – That very night God appeared to him and said, I am the God of Abraham your father; don't fear a thing because I'm with you. I'll bless you. (MSG)

A rite of passage for most young girls happens when they reach that age at which their moms and dads agree to let them get their ears pierced. It is an exciting thought for most girls, until they get to the chair.

Natalie was just a few days shy of turning 12. Her parents had promised that she could get her ears pierced when she became a 12-year-old. So on Saturday, Natalie, her sister, her mom, and I made a trip to the local mall. She seemed okay until we got her to sit down in the chair, and the lady marked Natalie's ears. Every time the salesgirl's hand, which was holding the apparatus she was going to use to pierce the ear, got close to Natalie's ear, Natalie would move her head back and grimace in fear, and kept repeating how scared she was. Natalie put her arms around her mom's neck, squeezed tightly, and made a face. Within seconds, the lady was done.

Natalie relaxed, and looked at those around her. Her first words were a question: "Was that all?" She was referring to the pain she had been so worried about — there was no pain.

Fear of the unknown has a tendency to make us all, even the strongest of individuals, run away from something we might want to do and enjoy. Christians miss out on opportunities to serve, to learn, and to grow in Christ because of fear.

Instead of closing our eyes in fear and bowing our heads in anxiety, we should bow our heads in prayer. When we walk with the Lord and trust Him, His love and protection means that we have nothing to fear.

Prayer: Dear Lord, You know how scared and anxious we can get sometimes about life. The road can be very bumpy, Father, but we know that You are there to direct, protect, and love us no matter what. Father, take our anxieties away, and smooth out the road as You see fit. Amen.

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