Fear is a Terrible Companion

In a small I've had ever since my time up on the DMZ of Korea back in the 1980s are many favorite bits of inspiration and motiviation in the form of poetry, quotes, short essays, prayers, and many Bible verses. One of the anonymous bits in the book is as follows:

"Fear is a terrible companion. It poisons every joy, and takes away the pleasure of any possession. One who lets fear and worry dominate his life can never come within sight of happiness. Faith in God and trust in His protecting love will cast our fear and bring in courage and joy."

This is not Luther's "We should fear and love God..." exhortation framing all meaning in our understanding of our faith. That fear of "awe" and "respect" is a reliable companion and is itself always the companion to loving God. No, the frightening, terrifying, and often paralyzing fear is the one that is the terrible companion. It keeps us from acting. So how do we help each other to overcome it? By being there for each other!

You've heard the expression there are "No Atheists in Foxholes" because in moments of tremendous fear, no one wants to be all alone. My sons want us around when they are scared of the dark, a nightmare, a spider, and will cling to their mother and I until the fear subsides. Public service announcements teach kids to stand up to bullys by banding together, forcing the bully to face a united front of several rather than the one-on-one weaker opposition.

God likewise calls us to band together as a church, as a body of Christ. One of the many blessings of that precious gift God has provided us is the very fact of numbers. We should fear and love God while fearing no evil. If we see our brother or our sister paralyzed into passivity by fear, we should stand by them, building them up with confidence and encouraging them to overcome their fears. Fear IS a terrible companion. A companion though can help us overcome a terrible fear, and whereever two of us are gathered, there HE will be also! Courage and strength! Time to get together and wipe out fear!