The Secret of Rest From Fear

This tension-filled and much-worried world is engaged in fighting fears. There is much happening in the world that is calculated to inspire fear. No one pretends that the outlook is pleasant and reassuring.

It might afford you some measure of relief and reassurance to remember that there have been previous periods in history as threatening as our own. There have been many times when it seemed that all was lost--and yet mankind has survived and has moved on to new achievements. This is no time for the leaders of various factions to go about spreading fear and dismay among their followers.

Certainly our Christian leaders should not become victims of the fear epidemic. If they are to be true to the Christian faith, they must not be afraid of the fears that oppress the world. From every point of view, the disciples of Christ should be free from fear and alarm.

Jesus was insistent upon teaching that it was the privilege and the duty of His disciples to be free from worry and the over-strain of anxiety. If you are worried or fearful, listen to His calming words, "let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me." And again, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Jesus especially urges us not to be troubled and alarmed in times of distress and perplexity among the nations. Whatever happens, "God has the whole world in His hands." So why should we be afraid? We Christians need freedom from fear so that we may do our work effectively and bear our witness to the sustaining grace of God. And the Lord will give us rest from our fears if we will put our trust in Him.

"When the Lord has given you rest from your pain and turmoil ... " Isaiah 14:3.