The antidote to fear is closeness to God.

Tara Lee Cobble

After finishing a podcast interview with a friend, she mentioned that our governor had issued a shelter in place mandate for the entire state of California. I was stunned, but continued to talk about regular things: cookie companies that deliver, how our friends were doing, what we were doing while being on lockdown, our plans for the summer. 

Once I hung up the phone, I sat in my chair, numb. A single tear rolled down my face.

Finally, the chaos of the COVID 19 outbreak had taken its toll on me.  I found myself completely consumed with fear.

I wasn’t afraid of the virus. The thought of not being able to leave my house, go to church, see my friends, buy what I needed from the store, had finally consumed me. The unknown frightened me. 

I threw on my pajamas, crawled into bed and cried.

Through my tears, my uncertainty with all that was happening in the world, God was kind.

He softly said to me, “Alexis, it will be okay. I’m with you. I’ve got this. Everything is going to be okay.”

Be Strong and Courageous

I expected a reprimand. God calls us to be strong and courageous. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Yet here I was, afraid and struggling with my rapidly changing world. I wasn’t feeling powerful or loving and I certainly didn’t feel as if I had a sound mind. 

I felt so lost. So afraid. Out of control.

But God answered my fears and uncertainty with love and kindness. He showed so much compassion and understanding. He gave me space to just be, to admit that I was afraid and that I needed Him.

In that confession, I found so much peace, love and understanding. 

Draw Close to God

Guys, times are scary at the moment. It’s okay to feel that way. It’s okay to say it. It doesn’t make you weak or mean you trust God less. We’re human. And God knows it. 

In these uncertain times, draw near to Him. Tell Him how much you’re scared. Tell him how angry you are that you can’t find a single roll of toilet paper. Tell Him everything. He wants to hear it. He so wants to talk to us, comfort us and let us know that it’s going to be okay. 

I’ll leave you all with this verse that helps me when I am afraid: 

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:6-8