I glanced at my watch and cleaned up my craft room. I put away my paper, stamps, and ink pads. Earlier, I checked what time the Worship Night at church began, and I knew I didn’t need to rush. Once I straightened everything, I checked my email, and googled a few things on my computer.
Then, I heard my phone buzz. My sweet Pastor husband texted me to ask if I was coming to church. I thought it a bit odd, so I replied with a question of my own. “You mean the worship night at 6:45?” He quickly texted, “Yes. But it starts at 6.” The time was 6:05.
I felt frustrated. I checked the time the event was to start, but I evidently had incorrect information. We live in a small community, so I knew it wouldn’t take me long to get to the church. However, I dreaded walking in late. I felt as if a big neon sign would be above my head flashing, “Loser!”
Satan whispered silly lies to me. He told me others would ridicule me. He insinuated the Pastor’s wife surely should know what time service starts! In addition, he tried to convince me others would look down on me because I didn’t arrive on time, or better still, early enough to greet others at the door.
I felt embarrassed and afraid of how others perceived me. I wanted to blame somebody. Have you ever noticed fear has a way of prodding us to pass the buck?
The Israelites and Fear
The Israelites were the poster children for fear when they wandered the wilderness. They feared the Egyptians, not having enough food and/or water, giants in the Promised Land, safety, and the possibility of wandering forever.
In Numbers 21, we read a story about snakes. I have a healthy fear of snakes, so I find the story creepy. The story takes place after they refused to enter the Promised Land and God tells them they will wander the wilderness for 40 years because of their lack of faith. Even though they are living their punishment, God continues to show up in powerful ways. They still receive manna each morning, and their shoes are still in good shape.
As the Israelites wandered, they encountered the King of Edom who refused their request to travel through his land. As they hiked around his kingdom, another king showed up, attacked them, and even captured some of them. They pleaded with God and God enabled them to completely destroy their new enemy. God was with them.
God Sent Snakes
However, in Numbers 21:4, we read, “the people grew impatient.” They began their familiar complaints. We have no bread, we have no water, and this manna is yucky! We are all going to die. In response to their complaints and lack of trust, God sent venomous snakes into the Israelite camp and many Israelites died.
The Israelites stuck with their pattern of behavior and ran to Moses. They admitted they sinned with their poor attitude, and they begged Moses to go to God on their behalf. Moses went to God, and God instructed Moses to form a bronze snake, then put it on a pole where all the Israelites could see it. When they looked at the snake, they were healed.
The Truth of the Story
I find the story odd. I wonder, why did God react to their complaining so quickly and so strongly? Why create a bronze snake for the Israelites to look at? The story is a brief six verses, why is it included in the telling of the wilderness wanderings? As I pondered my questions the Holy Spirit spoke truth to me.
The Israelites had to look directly at their fear and choose to believe God would heal, as well as deliver them.
My story and the Israelites’ story meshed in my mind. I know there have been times in my life I would’ve stayed home. I wouldn’t have risked the embarrassment or the possible ridicule. As I drove to church, I chose to face my fear and believe God loved me. I reminded myself He was still in control of me and my life regardless of what anyone thought or said.
Owning Our Fears
Each of us has fears. Some of our fears are small, even manageable. Some of our fears are wild and they overwhelm us with their intensity. To receive healing and the ability to overcome our fears, we must look directly at them, own them as our fear while at the same time trusting what God says.
“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Many of us are familiar with these verses in Philippians 4. Paul doesn’t say don’t ever be afraid. However, our worries and anxiety are based on our fears. Take a moment to think of these verses in light of the story of the Israelites and the snakes.
When we bring to God what concerns us, praying, petitioning, and presenting our requests to Him, we are owning up to our fears and looking past them to God’s healing and deliverance. The Israelites experienced healing from the snake’s venom; we experience healing from anxiety, worry, panic, and/or the state of being frozen and unable to move forward.
We must remember that just as the Israelites had a pattern of complaining, we often have a pattern of fear, worry, or anxiety. The Israelites needed to look past their frustration and disappointment and trust the provision and goodness of God. We must look past our fears and anxieties and trust God’s provision and goodness as well.
Managing our Fears
As we combine the snake story with Philippians 4, we learn we must begin by owning up to our fears. Next, we must bring them before God and ask for His intervention. As we pray and petition God, we must be thankful for His provision and goodness, whether it looks like what we wanted or not. Lastly, we can rest in the peace of Christ because we know He is the Sovereign King who loves us with an everlasting and faithful love.
My late arrival to Worship Night wasn’t life altering. However, my experience opened a door for God to reveal scriptural truth which enables me to better manage my fear. God never guarantees He will eliminate whatever triggers our fears. He does promise to listen to our prayers, and He offers us His presence and peace. We can live beyond fear and trust in the deliverance and healing of God Almighty.
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