When I am Afraid

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:4

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Psalm 56:3

The incessant rise and fall of drum rhythms pounded through the inky blackness, creating a sense of desperation, terror and pending doom in our East African village.

Men, women, and children danced around the large fire in the middle of the compound, their undulating forms casting eery shadows along the rough surface of our whitewashed mud house. Local witch doctors called out to the spirits, shaking rectangular percussions made out of thin bamboo and filled with the bright red and black seeds of the tassel tree.

The air was thick with the heaviness unique to dark ceremonies, interaction between humanity and the world of demons. The tribe was desperately seeking power from the spirit world to overcome the fear that had gripped them after long months of drought.

My husband and I pulled our window shutters closed and huddled together by lantern light, nowhere to go to escape the spirit appeasement ceremony happening outside. Our village father was the host of the frenetic gathering and the tiny house we rented from him sat right in the center of the activity. 

Unlike events back home in the US, there had been no news bulletins announcing this one. We had no time to plan a convenient trip to the city two hours away. We simply woke up that morning to find people outside our bedroom window changing into traditional costumes. Throngs of people had arrived from far and near overnight. 

The situation was dire. The ground was rock hard, making planting impossible. People were starving to death. Fathers were leaving their families seeking work in the city. Mothers, malnourished and dehydrated, were giving birth to stillborn children. Rain was needed, and according to animistic belief, appeasing the spirits was the only way to restore harmony. 

As our neighbors cried out with all their might to the spirits of dead ancestors for help, we called to the name of the only One who has the power to deliver us from our fears.

Fear is Real

The fear in the villagers’ hearts was real. The fear in my heart as I listened to their desperation was real.

Fear is part of being human.

The Psalmist oscillates between admission of fear and declarations of delivery from fear. He is afraid. But when He is afraid, he knows in whom he will trust. He knows his God will deliver him. He knows that God is the source of power over fear. 

The Need for Power over Fear is Real

If you are a breathing human, you need power over fear.

It doesn’t matter if you live in the bush of Africa or the high-rises of New York City. From the village chief crying out to the spirits for rain to the mother in the middle of the night waiting for her runaway son to be found, fear is paralyzing.

Fear comes in many forms, and like the drum rhythms in the dark African night, it fills us with terror and apprehension about the future. We are aware that there are dark powers in this world. And we can’t face them alone.

Jesus is the Power Over all Fear

For He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

The good news at #Halloween is that through Jesus we are not only forgiven and our shame abolished, but we have also been given power over #fear. Click To Tweet

Jesus has conquered fear, completely defeated it. 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

The same Jesus who died and after three days rose alive is the One who is with you and me as we walk through the darkest valley. 

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.

Psalm 3:5-6

The One who made demons tremble and silenced the raging sea is the same One who sustains us though tens of thousands assail us on every side. 

We are not alone, and we have power over fear through Jesus Christ.

As America plays at being afraid this #Halloween, take a minute to bring your real #fears to the One who promises to deliver you from them all. #JesusChrist Click To Tweet

When I am afraid, I will trust in you.

Lord, give me power over fear in my life. Help me trust you and leave my fears behind. Amen.

@audreycfrank