James 1:5

The unexpected. The bad unexpected.  You name it. You didn’t expect it. But now it’s here. A common reaction is fear.  A second is for our imagination to run wild.  So how do we combat fear and a run away imagination?

Two Tips When Fear Strikes:

1. Lean Up. Lean up to God immediately. As fast as the incidence happens, make it our practice to turn to our Heavenly Father and lean in on Him. Why? Psalm 46:1-3 tells us, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” The psalmist has listed things that would naturally cause fear yet he maintains, “we will not fear.” How can he say that? The answer is in his words, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help.” I don’t think the psalmist means there might not be a first reaction of fear, but rather that he has made the choice to not continue in fear, but rather to look to God. We can make the same choice. We can begin praying. We can focus on His presence. We can look to Him for help.
2. Wisen Up.  In Luke 16:8 Jesus told a parable in which He said, “for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light.” In Matthew 10:16,  Jesus told His disciples, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. The word “shrewd” in these verses means intelligent, wise, prudent, mindful of one’s interests. So, when the unexpected, the bad happens, yes, begin praying. But then, perhaps we need to step back and think. What is God teaching me? How should I prepare for the future in light of this?

Yes, the unexpected is around the corner, but what a blessing that so is our Heavenly Father and so is wisdom, all we need to do is ask for it. James 1:5

Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ, thank You that You are an ever present help. Thank You, also, for the reminder and instruction that we need to be wise and prudent, mindful of what we are doing. Help us be increasing mindful and ever grateful for You and the wisdom You provide. We love You. 

Find more in my chapter, “Illusive Imagination or Refreshing Reality” in The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World.”

(1) https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=G5429&t=NASB