by Monica Taylor

Are you ever afraid? Of course you are. I get afraid more often than I care to admit and I must say, it oftentimes seems to be about some the silliest things.. such as that spider on the wall (uckkk!), whether China will take over our economy, whether social security be there for me, or if I am going to be raptured up in end times. See, silly things, right?! But when our concerns are about us, our family or eternity, telling ourselves to quit worrying and to be brave and not walk with fear seems impossible.

And you know, it oftentimes is impossible to put fear out of minds and hearts unless we rely on the Lord to help us. Many, many times in my life, I have to tell myself that God reminds us all in the Bible “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34 NASV). He also tells us, “”Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:25-27, NIV)

So in this new year full of impending times of uncertainty and change, I offer this verse to hopefully provide hope to all of us, “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.” (Psalm 55:22 NIV). I wish you a wonderful year blessed with God’s best gifts, especially hope and courage. God bless!