God + Fear: Can The Two COEXISTS?

God + Fear?
The question mark at the end was placed there intentionally.

We can’t be fearful and fully trust God. Fear and God can’t coexists, but why?

We’ll discuss this in a sec, but let's begin with a little bit of a background story to set the tone.
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I grew up in a family of DEVOUT Catholics! This means that church every weekend and Wednesday night Catechism wasn't a personal choice. You were going whether you liked it or not! In fact, I remember one summer, we had gone out of town for vacation and my mom and aunt (Hey Nanny Kat, girl!!) literally Googled catholic churches in the area and made us leave the resort to attend Sunday mass LOL. We can also discuss the many times that my grandmother made my cousins and I pile in her bedroom mid-day to say the Rosary.

Without dragging on with stories about being raised in a Catholic family (I have SEVERAL stories — both good and not so good lol) but, I'll skip past that and simply say that growing up Catholic was truly the BEST thing for me. It set the foundation for my relationship with Christ and I would not change my religious background for the world. Although my husband and I are now members of a non denominational church in Houston, Tx I still recite the prayers that were taught to me by my catholic grandmother, mom, aunts, and catechism teachers and carry those core Catholic principals and values with me even as an adult.

With all that said, let's talk about God and Fear.

Most of us are taught to constantly trust God in the midst of our trials and although I do agree with that 100%, I also understand that I am human and that I do naturally have moments of fear and anxiety in certain circumstances. However, what I have learned and acknowledged throughout the years is that when I am fearful, it is important to immediately turn to God for comfort and peace. In fact, Isaiah 43:1 says “Don't fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.” God actually commands us not to fear, or worry and I truly believe that the enemy uses situations, like the one we are facing today (COVID-19 Outbreak), to create fear in order to decrease our hope and limit our victories here on earth.

With the recent outbreak, or should I say Pandemic (worldwide outbreak) of Coronavirus, many people are in a state of panic and fear. We see it daily... the hoarding of toilet paper (I still don't understand this lol), the long lines outside of grocery stores, and aisles upon aisles of empty shelves. All of this is because of one word... FEAR.

Fear of the unknown. Fear for our families, our children, our loved ones. Fear of the future.

I won't lie, I have definitely had slight moments of anxiety and fear due to the increased severity of the outbreak, but I encourage you all to take a moment (or several) each day to talk to God. Express your worries, your fears, your anxieties -- be completely transparent and honest with him about how you are currently feeling. Ask him to give you peace in the midst of this confusing time and to guide you through the unknown.

I am choosing to believe that we will come out of this stronger than ever...
 I am choosing to trust God fully. To remain positive, without FEAR, and to encourage each of you to do the same!

Feel free to leave a comment below + spread some positivity with others today too!

Until next time,
Amari E.