Beyond Camp Student EditionSample

Fearing the Bear

It was campout night at camp, and the girls and I had packed our food, filled our water bottles, and hoisted our backpacks onto our backs. We hit the trail for our short hike to the campsite, crested our first hill, and turned toward the woods.

Just then a black bear ambled down the trail in front of us! After reporting the bear sighting to camp staff, they gave us some safety tips, assured us we would be fine, and sent us back out to continue our campout.

I tried to put on a brave face, but I was scared! In fact, I didn’t sleep well that night—sure that every cracking branch or rustling of leaves was the bear coming back to pay us a visit!

Fear is a terrible feeling. Fear for our safety, fear about the health of a loved one, or fear of not fitting in can fill us with worry or cripple us with its weight. When I start to feel its grip, I have to remind myself that God tells us over and over in Scripture not to be afraid.

Psalm 91 covers many different reasons we could be afraid, but God says in verse 15, “When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.” He’s always with us, and He’s greater than anything we might face. Those are good reasons not to fear.

Written by Abby Friend, Look Up Lodge

What causes you to be afraid? How does God help us in our fears?

Loving God, thank You that You’re always with me and help me deal with my fears. Help me to trust You with them more and more each day.