Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

John 14:27 LSB

No sane person is completely without fear. Fear helps to protect us from real danger. Fear that is under control is healthy. It is part of how we are made. But there is a difference between natural fear and that which goes deeper, disabling us more profoundly than any physical malady we may face. The fear of what might be can be our greatest enemy, and it often comes from within.

It may not be without foundation. We all face real threats with at least some probability of manifestation. I am facing some of those now. What if something else happens to Linda? Sooner or later, it probably will. What if my unemployment lasts longer than I expect it to and we run out of money? What if something happens to me that I can’t properly care for her anymore? I have had some troubling symptoms. What if the church folds? What does that say about me? Those are real threats. How should I respond?

Obviously I should do whatever I can within reason to mitigate the threats, but my power only goes so far. I have a choice to make. Will I be paralyzed by the fear, or will I trust in the Lord? Do I believe what I have written, or was it all a lie? More importantly, do I believe what He has written by the hands of the authors of the Bible.

I choose to trust. I choose to believe. These things may still happen, but I believe it when He said He would work all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). His Spirit living within me gives to me the peace He speaks of in the verse at the top of this post. Note that he says, “Do not let.” That means you, too, have a choice. Trust in Him, and let His peace fill your heart.