A healthy fear

The story is told that, on  the evening before D-Day in World War II, the captain of a Royal Navy vessel called his men together to prepare them for the crossing of the English Channel on the following morning. He knew that they were filled with anxiety, so he tried to encourage them by saying: "When you stop to think about it, fear is a very healthy thing." A sea-man spoke up: "Captain, if what you say is true, then I'm the healthiest man in the whole Navy!"

Although fear is one of the most harmful of our emotions it can, indeed, be one of the most helpful. The fear of getting burned causes us to handle hot objects with great care. A fear of heights can caution is to keep a safe distance from the edge of a cliff. Fear of failure may motivate us to succeed. At the current time, fear of being infected by the Covid-19 virus is encouraging the majority to "Stay Home; Protect the NHS; Save lives"!

However, as many appear to be realising, the greatest benefit of fear is when it directs us to Father God for His help. David, the shepherd-psalmist-warrior king of Israel, was often in danger. However, he understood that with YHWH as his strength there was nothing, and no-one, he need to fear. So he could pen these words: "YHWH is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? YHWH is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Ps.27:1).

Does the current situation fill you with fear? Are you facing some other, seemingly insurmountable, challenge? Is your future uncertain? Then let your fear drive you to the Lord. In his first letter to the church at large, the apostle John states: "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear." (I John 4:18). Of course, the only 'perfect love' is the love of God - the God Who is love (see I John 4: 8, 16). Commit yourself to His care. Trust Him to keep His Word. Count on Him to be faithful. That is how to have a healthy fear! He is our Certainty in uncertain times.