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I A Little Bit Afraid

It was a beautiful spring day and Emily was helping me in the garden.  She was having a great time until she saw the lightning flash and heard the distant rumbling of an approaching thunderstorm.

 “Grandma, I a little bit afraid.”  Nothing I said could reassure her.  “I wanta go home. Grandma, I wanta go home, now.”  I realized the urgency in her voice meant she needed to go home NOW even though I wanted just a few more minutes to finish planting the strawberries before it rained.  Emily had developed a fear of thunderstorms after a violent one months before.  At that moment she needed the security of mommy and the safety of home.  Grandma did not qualify. 

 The Psalmist said,  “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” (Psalms 56:3)  David was afraid.  Evil men were plotting for his life.  He had to flee for his life and hide in the mountains and caves.  When he was afraid, only in God could he trust and find comfort.

 Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trust in the Lord shall be safe.”  What a comfort to know that God is our protection.  Sometimes I am a little bit afraid.  I have experienced the raw fear of an unknown illness.   I have been frightened by the actions of uncouth men.  I have acted foolishly and recklessly endangering my own life.  I have been the victim of an accident. I have trembled with stage fright.  I have panicked at the sudden disappearance of a child.  I have had nightmares that awaken me from a deep sleep.  Yes, I have been a little bit and a whole lot afraid.

 Scripture brings me comfort and encouragement.

• Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1: 9
• The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.  Deuteronomy 33: 27
• God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in the time of trouble.  Psalms 46:1
• Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me.  Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  Psalms 23: 4
• My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.  II Corinthians 12:9
• Fear not, for I am with you: be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you.  I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”  (Isaiah 41:10)

 When I am a little bit afraid, I, too, want to go home to safety and the protection of my heavenly Father.

 By Pat Hertzler