ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 5, 2025
Are you afraid? There are so many things in life that cause fear to manifest and intensify in our daily existence. The fear might be for ourselves, while other times it is fear for someone we love or even for a community that is vulnerable. So many voices within scripture tell us not to fear, but like a lot of things, it is much easier said than done. And of course, when fear is gripping us to the point it is impacting us physically (heart rate, breathing, sweating), telling us to fear not, get over it, or this too will pass, is not helpful. In fact, the increased heart rate, breathing, sweating only intensifies as you want to scream at the person who suggested that we get over it. Though I do not believe we were created to live in fear, it remains a reality. In those moments, it is good to have someone who does not offer some judgment that is coated with pithy religious sounding language. Instead, it is nice to have someone who sits with us, listens, prays, and holds our hand when needed. I remember hearing a minister who was also a parent say, “I tell my kids that I’m glad to hang out with them for a while, and maybe we can be a little less scared together.”
When fear is intensifying and being amplified by those whose words are well-intended but not helpful, I pray for your Spirit, Merciful God, to be a source of comfort. And if by chance, your Spirit can nudge a friend to sit with me, that would be helpful as well. Amen.
