Dancing in the Light

I John 1:7 "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin."

Name:
Location: North Platte, Nebraska, United States

I am a christian wife, mother and grandmother. I am a licensed Social worker and a licensed Christian counselor. I am most proud of the relationships I have with God, my family and friends all over the world. I have been blessed beyond my dreams.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

When Fear Finds Us

When those around us fall prey to senseless tragedies and devastating trauma, fear begins to permeate our hearts. The empathetic of us try to put ourselves in the place of those firsthand sufferers. We try to imagine how they felt in order to imagine how we can help them. We play over the scenes broadcast over the airwaves, dissecting and analyzing the situation in an attempt to prevent future horror, only to realize that satan is still at work in this world, that sin is no respecter of persons, and that pain and grief are neither predictable nor preventable. And our courage begins to wane, our feelings of security drain away and hopelessness threatens to join the helplessness in our hearts. We stop sleeping and start crying. We stay indoors, frightened and trembling. Worry, stress and grief become our constant companions. Our minds and hearts are full of thoughts of tragedy and the flood of tears ever present. We become weary from weeping, worn out from worry and overcome by the suffering. Listen to what Holy Scripture says:
Job chapter 11:
  • vs. 7 "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? "
  • vs. 8 "They are higher than the heavens--what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave--what can you know?"
  • vs. 9 "Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea"
  • vs. 10 "If he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court, who can oppose him?"
  • vs. 11 "Surely he recognizes deceitful men; and when he sees evil, does he not take note?"
  • vs. 13 "Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him,"
  • vs. 14 "If you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,"
  • vs. 15 "Then you will lift up your face without shame, you will stand firm without fear."
  • vs. 17 a "Life will be brighter than the noon day . . . "
  • vs. 18 a "You will be secure because there is hope; and you will look about you and take your rest in safety."
  • vs. 19 "You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid. . . "

This is such a rich text. Zophar is responding to a long tirade by his suffering friend Job. While the theology of the friends is later condemned by God and penitent sacrifice commanded, Zophar makes some very valid points here. First of all, there is a God and we are not Him. We cannot understand all that has happened or all that will happen. God is in control and our feeble attempts to control the situations, emotions, behaviors of others is simply futile. Only our Creator truly knows our minds. Only He truly understands our hearts. Only He can truly heal and comfort our wounded souls. Secondly, He owns us and whatever He chooses to do with us is His perogative, His privilege, His right. We are not our own---we have been bought with a price and should He choose to allow us to struggle, should He decide a refining fire or a spiritual spanking is in order, He can do so. Thirdly, He sees and knows what is happening. Evil is not hidden from Him. His ear is not dull and His eye is not dim. Evil does not go unnoticed. Satan's devious work is evident to the Father of the Universe. And finally, He offers us security and safety. He offers us peace but--notice what it says, ---give Him your hearts, reach out to your Father, stop sinning and do not let evil dwell where you live.

When we make room in our hearts for Him, He comes to live there, bringing with Him all the peace and security and safety we crave. From that moment on, we are instilled with a new sense of courage and conviction. We can stand tall without shame because we belong to the Almighty God. We are His possession and no gunmen, no threats, no terror, no cunning adversary can stand against us. Once again the sun shines in our lives and in our hearts. Our tears are dried and our hearts can smile again. We begin to sleep again, without nightmares, or bad dreams, without fear. We have hope and in that hope we have security and assurance. We are God's own and in spite of the darkness and ugliness around us, we live in light. We are no longer afraid, our Protector has promised to wrap His arms around us and bring us to a new home where there is no darkness and where ugliness is not welcome. Praise God for the security we have in Him. Praise God for His protection, His comfort and His promise! Praise God for His presence in our lives.

Peace
Neva

23 Comments:

Blogger TREY MORGAN said...

Neva - I love the the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They make an awsome statement in a BAD time. "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

God can save us, be even if He doesn't ... we'll still serve Him.

I pray I would have the same spirit.

11:52 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes, praise God for His ability to show us light and comfort in the midst of darkness and tragedy
You did good, Neva

Dan

12:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am tired of crying and tired of being afraid. Neva, you give me hope. thank you for reminding that God is not far from me.

Rachel

12:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Way to change our focus, friend,
Thanks I needed that.

Carlos

1:22 PM  
Blogger The Preacher's Household: said...

I am scared of the dark. I dont like the dark.
God is the light and in Him, there is no darkness. I like the light.
Kathy

1:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Neva,
I am always impressed with how spiritually wise you are. You help us all be better christians.
Thank you
Jean

2:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Excellent post, sister.
Tragedies like this one, unfortunately are not as rare as we would have them be. Christians are called on to shed God's light on the ugly darkness of sin and sinful acts. We cannot make sense of them but we can share the message of hope. Your encouragement and light is welcome amid the sea of blaming and shaming.
Keep up the good work

2:45 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Neva, 40 years of my 47 years of life I was crippled with fear. I, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego have finally reached the "God can save us, but even if He doesn't....we will still serve Him." "Praise Be to God!" The last 7 years of my life have been wonderful.

Thank you for sharing and my prayer is that others can say, "God can save us, but even if He doesn't...we will still serve Him."

3:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes, Neva
Praise God for his presence in our lives. Without him, we would all have nothing but fear.
Good thoughts today.

Dean

3:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great post, encouraging and hopeful. I am inspired and ready to stop weeping. Thanks, friend o mine.

Pat

3:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ive said it before and I will say it again. God is so good!!! He will deliver us.

Karli

4:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We can overcome even the darkest of tragedies, God is watching and he is on our side. Thank you for these words today. We all needed them.

Carol

4:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I cannot tell you how much your words help me. I always find just the right amount of encouragement and toe-stepping right here.
Thank you for the time you put inot your blog. I appreciate your effort.

Mary

5:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Neva,
We are still going to church adn still loving it. We have made lots of friends and our kids love going to church. They are trying to teach Judd and I the songs. I still have a lot of questions but everyone is very patient with us. Don's wife is very sick with her chemo so if you would pray for her, I know he would like that. I read your blog everyday but I dont comment because I dont know as much as your other readers my comments would probably sound dumb. Anyways I wanted to tell you this and get you to pray.
Love
Kara

5:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This has been on everyone's mind. There have been a thousand different perspectives. Thank you for sharing God's.

Jeneane

6:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Neva,
My name is Gina. I am a friend of Judd and Kara's. This is my first visit to your site. You are a very talented writer. I will refer some other sisters. Thank you for leading us to Kara. She is a sweetheart. She is already an asset to the body here. She cannot say enough nice things about you. What a gift you have given us.
In Christian love
Gina

7:24 PM  
Blogger Neva said...

Gina,
Thanks for stopping by. I am so grateful Kara has good Christian friends to help her grow and mature in the faith.
Peace,
neva

8:01 PM  
Blogger Paula Harrington said...

Wonderful post Neva.
Thanks.

8:14 PM  
Blogger Bobby Cohoon said...

Hey sis,
You wrote,"We cannot understand all that has happened or all that will happen. God is in control and our feeble attempts to control the situations, emotions, behaviors of others is simply futile."

You know the big problem is that when we try and handle it all we start trying to be God! Until we learn to let God be good we are always going to have suffer fear.
I mean hey, this here hick from the sticks had to learn that duct tape isn't a cure all...I have to rely on God! :-)

Great post

Bobby

9:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

neva-
Good post. It's always warmer in the light. :)

Don

10:45 PM  
Blogger Liz Moore said...

Thanks for sharing such encouraging words. Blessings!

9:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fear disables. God enables.
Good post.

3:41 PM  
Blogger Matt said...

Thank you for the reminder! Hope your workshop goes well.

7:48 AM  

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