Don’t Let the Fear In

John 14:27b – Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Anxiety. Confusion. Apprehension. Suspense. The disciples were shocked at the news of what Jesus was saying. Was it true that Jesus was going to be killed? Wasn’t He the long-awaited Saviour? How could this be? Wasn’t He the one who was going to change everything for Israel? They couldn’t wrap their minds around that fact. It seemed that everything they had based their faith on was being taken away, indeed, the rug was being pulled out from beneath them. The magnitude of what the Lord was saying was too much for them to understand. Knowing that His friends were being overwhelmed, Jesus gave them instructions that would enable them to navigate peacefully through the hardships they were about to face.

When the Bible speaks of the heart, it most often refers to our inner person, the core and nucleus of our life. Those who study cellular biology tell us that the nucleus of a cell is considered the command center, issuing orders for growth, maturity, division, or even, death. Our heart is similar in that, it too, is a command center; it gives directions that we subconsciously follow. Our day to day lives will always conform to the dictates and commands issued from our hearts. What fills our heart will eventually fill our life. What we believe in the heart, either positive or negative, affects our lives accordingly.

Jesus is informing the disciples, and all of us today, that we are not to allow our hearts to entertain any anxious or fearful thoughts. The thoughts are real, and the pressures are real, but we do not have to succumb to our emotions and feelings. Have you noticed how quickly our minds can go from a place of peace to one of turmoil and panic? Do not let this happen. We are not powerless victims who must yield to every negative thought, but we are powerful victors who can calmly regulate our minds and emotions. As one survivor of a Nazi concentration camp has said, ‘Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose ones’ attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose ones’ own way.’

In a time of crisis, the last thing we need is widespread panic. What we need is calm, thoughtful, guidance. All of us are called to some form of leadership, even if it is only our own selves that we lead. We must lead our emotions, not be led by them. We must lead our fears, not be controlled by them. We must lead our thought-life, not be governed by it. We must become that rare person who is called a non-anxious presence. The ones who remain calm are the ones who also remain sane; they see more clearly and make better decisions. Jesus said it to His disciples then, and He is saying it to us as well; do not allow your hearts to be troubled or upset, and do not allow fear to control you. Someone has once written that those who take responsibility during a crisis are those to whom power flows. They are the ones to whom answers come. A friend of mine told me that in one ancient Eastern language there was only one symbol for crisis, and it meant both danger and opportunity. To those who are overwhelmed by anxiety and fear, the crisis is dangerous, but to those who are calmly and deliberately governing their emotions, it is an opportunity. That is the good news, this crisis can be an opportunity to re-examine our priorities and our lifestyles. It can be an opportunity to draw closer to our Father God and closer to each other. It can be an occasion for positive change. Do not be overanxious or discouraged, friends, you are not alone in this fight. No matter how you may feel, reach out and take comfort and take courage. Do not let your hearts be troubled!