Have you ever sat back and watched how fearless a child can be? They don’t consider the likelihood of being hurt. They don’t dwell on what can happen, instead, they focus on what is happening and where they are headed.

Oh, how I envy that ability to cast away fear. I understand it’s natural and smart to weigh risks, but sometimes, we can go from one extreme to another, allowing fear to paralyze us.

I don’t know about you, but the older I’ve gotten, the scarier this world has become.

Tragedy Filled World

We scroll through Facebook and see a picture of a little baby hooked up to all sorts of machines, fighting for his life. Someone struck him with a deadly blow and doctors say there is no hope for his recovery. Immediately, we place ourselves in their shoes…. What would we do if that baby was ours? Instead of casting away that thought, we may start thinking up ways to ensure this would never happen---forget daycares, or strangers, no one is watching our children.

We become entranced by our scroll on social media until another post pulls at our heartstrings. This time… it’s a natural disaster like the tornadoes in Tennessee….This family lost their 4.5-year-old daughter despite being in her daddy's arms the entire time. Their 1-year-old son is also fighting for his life. Somehow, the mom and dad are okay.

Your heart is hurting. You don’t want to cry, so instead, you switch platforms.

But still, another tragedy, this time a popular Christian influencer announces her divorce after 10 long years and you can’t help but wonder if your marriage will survive… It seems like divorce is a popular choice for many…

Tragedy after tragedy is plastered all over the news and social media and there is no escape.

It feels as though we only have one option - to take control.

So we over-prepare for natural disasters just to be safe, we refuse to allow anyone to watch our children, we use only certified organic products to protect us from the likelihood of cancer, etc... We will do anything within our means to control the outcome. But what if I told you there was another option. A way to live without allowing fear to control our every move?

Please don’t take this to mean that preparation and “clean” living are bad… but instead that the heart motives behind those choices may be wrong. Instead of trying to take control and do everything within our power, what if we humble ourselves instead?

When the world feels like such a bad place, we can either try to control the situation or we can turn it over to God. But what does that actually look like?

When you find yourself being overwhelmed by all that is scary in this world, turn to God. Call out to Him.

Ask Him

Lord, why is all of this tragedy happening?

When fear strikes deep in your very core, and you can’t help but think, question really, whether God would protect you, your babies, or your marriage. Ask Him:

God, would you? If these uncontrollable acts can take away good people, what’s going to happen to me? Are my kids not safe? Please, please, please don’t let this happen to me.

Cast your worries unto the lord and do not stay in that moment of fear. Where fear exists faith does not. You may wonder if you really want to have faith if it means you would potentially live through something equally as painful?

Think it, then turn it over to Him.

Lord forgive me for my thoughts. Forgive me for my fears. Forgive me for not trusting in you and believing in your love for us.

You may feel torn between fearing the unknown and trusting in your heavenly father. Why does faith have to be so hard? You know that faith means tribulation, but lack of faith doesn’t equate to a lack of tribulation.

On the contrary, lack of faith strips you of any hope and comfort that your Heavenly Father brings to you in those moments of unbearable pain. Lack of faith provides no light, provides no solutions, provides nothing to ease your pain. Lack of faith leaves you wallowing in your brokenness and fear never to be made new.

But faith…

Faith in a Scary World

Faith is the only answer in a world so broken. A world where babies are dying from blows by the very hands that should be lovingly cradling them or innocent families are dying in natural disasters. Faith is the only answer when nothing else makes sense.

Nothing can explain why, but faith at least allows you to cling to hope that you have a chance. A chance to live without being enveloped by fear. A chance of making it through life with your faith intact, the hope of heaven that assures us no matter what, we will see our children again in heaven... A chance that even if the worst thing imaginable happens, God is still who He says He is and He will comfort you. He will carry you. He will never leave your side.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

Friend, if you are trying to navigate this scary world and are struggling to hold on to your faith will you pray with me?

A Prayer

God,

I am so overwhelmed by the evil in this world. Everywhere I turn I see something bad happening. Parents are having to bury their children. The world is being devastated by natural disasters. Marriages are ending after 10, 20+ years.

It feels as if there is no hope, yet I know that is a lie.

Lord, I am scared.

I question why, God? Why are the innocent dying? Why does it feel like the enemy is winning?

Lord, I have so many questions… Please, give me answers or help me be okay with not knowing.

Help me accept that your plan is always greater than I could ever imagine. Lord, forgive me for my unbelief. Help me to trust you when I don’t understand.

Lord, help me maintain my faith in this scary world.

Amen