God's Adoption for the FatherlessSample

Day Two – Fear vs. the Security of Christ

Anxiety has become an epidemic in our Western culture. Yes, anxiety can have physical, chemical origins. At the same time, the number of people dealing with fear has grown over the last decade at alarming rates.

This epidemic of fear has only worsened during the COVID pandemic. Teachers and school counselors have needed to focus on mental health more than ever during these times.

Children who find themselves orphans have dealt with significant trauma. Beyond abandonment, their experience often includes physical or emotional abuse. The structures that should have brought stability failed, throwing their lives into chaos.

The lie – we can’t trust that anything will be good; chaos and tragedy await us in every situation.

On one level, this fear makes sense. Evidence of tragedy surrounds us. Loved ones die or leave, or we lose jobs.

The three classic responses to fear are flight, fight, or freeze. We either try to exit or control the situation to protect ourselves. Decisions based on fear are destructive. For example, due to a fear of abandonment, we control and stifle others, which no one likes, and it makes people leave, only providing more evidence for our fear in a vicious cycle.

The Truth –In the unfailing love of Christ, we are guaranteed eternal, abundant good.

Through the Spirit, God gives us a fourth option – Love. We now have the power to address fear with truth, and for those who live by the Spirit, God promises that all things work together for good. Not some but all! The Spirit seals us to those promises because his power achieves his word.

God alone is good, and his unfailing love produces good. Nothing can separate us from his love! Not me or you or any power on earth.

Instead of being bound to that anxiety, we can turn to a compassionate and caring God, choose to be thankful, and experience his peace.

Our security in Christ now gives us grace to stand during times of chaos, and we can reach out in love and peace to others dealing with fear.

Father, thank you that I am eternally secure in you and that you have guaranteed good to me. Help me to express that peace and security to others in a world dominated by fear. Amen.