Endurance for the Journey, Fear, Featured

Since the children have flesh and blood,
he too shared in their humanity
so that by his death he might destroy him
who holds the power of death – that is, the devil –
and free those who all their lives
were held in slavery by their fear of death.
HEBREWS 2:14-15 (NIV)

As human beings, we are prone to fear, no matter how much we believe in God or heaven. And the fear of death can hold tremendous power over us, as these verses make clear.

God understands the fear common to all humanity. He isn’t the author of death; He is the one who came to vanquish death, and one day He will destroy it. But when it comes to facing death, I am like a child, just flesh and blood. Jesus understands because he took on our human condition to deal with this fear of death.

I realize I will have to face off with fear for the rest of my life – but I don’t have to live in slavery to it! I believe in a mighty God, the resurrected Christ, who proved His power over the grave. Still, I have to admit I’m still afraid on occasion. Now I am learning to admit my fears honestly to God, who understands my human condition.

Death swallowed by triumphant Life!
Who got the last word, oh, Death?
Oh, Death, who’s afraid of you now?

It was sin that made death so frightening
and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage,
its destructive power.
But now in a single victorious stroke of Life,
all three – sin, guilt, death – are gone,
the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:55-57 (THE MESSAGE)

On the journey with you,
Jan Dravecky