A few mornings ago I was running with a friend. She shared a story of a coworker who had let her fears overtake her ability to make sound decisions for her children. Considering all things CoVid, I would say this is a common occurrence as of late. How many times have each of us, in the last year, allowed fear to grip us and even overtake us, overpowering our common sense and trust in all things greater, namely God? This phenomena is not purely a result of this pandemic, but also a consequence of us, God’s people, loosing our trust in Him. I have fallen victim to it as well.
A few months ago one of my older children quite lamentable mistake. It was hurtful to many who were involved and made me loose trust in this child. Now, when the event occurred, I thought I would be able to move past the goof up in a short amount of time. But I could not. This child was struggling, trying to figure out who they were, how they fit in with people who surrounded them, and who they would call a friend. My distressed child was flailing, lacking clear direction, despite our best efforts to support and guide. Decision making was not a strength and it left my heart uneasy and my mind racing. Trust was not a reality.
Now, if you have ever experienced this type of growth with a child, you know how it can pierce you in your gut, keeping you up at night as you search for strategies, answers, and support. You walk around in a haze, the child’s struggles constantly weighing on your mind. You offer constant prayers to heaven, asking for protection and guidance, even praying for nudges from Our Lord to help point you, as a parent, in the right direction. You realize it is the child’s battle, but you are right along side them, sword up, armor on, cannons loaded and shield in place. You realize in this time of darkness for them, you need to carry them through. But do you?
This is where I erred. I thought it was my duty as a parent to guard and protect this sweet, struggling soul. And it is, to a certain extent. But when I look to the Bible for guidance I find numerous passages ensuring me that Lord is always there with me (and my children). “The Lord is my shepherd….He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley, I fear no evil; for you are at my side; with your rod and your staff that give me courage.” Psalm 23:1-3.
If you look specifically to the verse, ”I fear no evil; for you are at my side,” you can see that we should not allow fear to consume us. Scripture reminds us that God, the creator of all things, will protect each of us from harm brought to us by way of evil because He is always, read that again, always, right next to me. So, upon reading this reassuring passage, I can be assured that the Lord will always be at my children’s sides, as well as mine, and every other child of God. God yearns to protect each and every one of us with a fierceness that only an all-powerful and all-loving Father can.
Is this an easy passage to tuck in our hearts and store away? Of course! Is this a verse we can readily call to mind at any time? Absolutely! Does life make it easy to live this out when we or our loved ones come to troubled times? No way! Satan is always there, planting doubts, encouraging us to distrust our heavenly Father, and rely on ourselves and our own means to solve what only God can remedy. And this is exactly where I was sister, doubting our powerful Lord and turning inward to my own strength and limited abilities.
As I look around the world, almost a year past this stressful string of events in my child’s life, I continue to struggle to trust. I fight to regain what I once had, an unfailing faith in this child and trust in their ability to preserve and do what is right, what God calls them to. But I will tell you, in this moment, recalling the beautiful verses of Scripture that Our Lord so lovingly gave us, covers me in peace that only the Lord can. My still racing heart, is slowed, as I remind my damaged trust that God can and will provide. He strives to protect us always. His power is far beyond that of any other principality, especially Satan. God always conquers all. Do you see the finiteness of that statement? Always and all. Often it is not as clean of a battle as we would like, but the treasures and things conquered as a result of a necessary struggle are more than we can ever imagine. The battle must be fought. Blood is often shed, but never in vain.
Saint Paul reminds us to draw our strength from the Lord in Ephesians 6: 10-12, “Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from His mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.”
So, as we traverse these uncertain times, let us envision the Lord walking our journey with us. At our side, with his sword drawn, ready at any moment to defend us from our enemies. Our all-powerful Father, at an arm’s length, protecting us with everything He is. A constant reminder of his unfailing love and protection should invoke a trust in our hearts that we must constantly work to recall and maintain. Trust is never easy, but when we place our trust in God at the forefront, peace will consume us and our eyes will remain transfixed on Our Lord. Our confidence in the rightness and goodness that will follow will increase and our minds will be at ease, knowing a ruler as powerful as God is always on our side.
Call To Act: When fear begins to consume you and is guiding your decisions, remind yourself that God is always right next to you. Ask yourself if this fear is a realistic one and then assure yourself that God can and will take on anything. Push past the fear sister, do not allow your fear to rule you. It will take you to an even darker place. This is the desire of the evil one. Turn to Scripture, Bible in one hand and sword in the other, God’s hands on your shoulders. Memorize a verse that you can hold close as you endure your battle. (I have listed a few of my favorites below. )But above all trust. Pray that your heart is filled with a deep understanding of the Father’s love for you and the beauty He has in store for you and your children.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 reminds us “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope. When you call me, when you go to pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me with you, says the Lord, and I will change your lot.” Have confidence sister. My prayers are with you sister. You can do this, but not alone.
A few trust invoking scriptures:
Isaiah 26: 3-4
Joshua 1: 9
Proverbs 3: 4-5
Psalm 112: 7
Jeremiah 17: 7-8
Psalm 31: 14
Psalm 56: 3
Saint Joan of Arc, pray for us as we fly into battle. Ask Our Lord to instill a trust in us like you showed throughout your life, filling us with a desire to always serve Him and carrying out God’s will no matter the consequence. Implore Him to help us rely on Him and Him alone as we work alongside other humans on this journey toward heaven. Beg God to open our eyes and hearts to His all-powerful and protective love, allowing us to shed our fears in this world and trust completely in God, Our Savior. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Saint Joan of Arc
St. Joan of Arc was a brave young woman who lived in France in the early 1400s. She began experiencing visions at just 13 years old, possibly earlier. The saints told her to eradicate the English from France. St. Joan of Arc acted on this vision three years later. God called her to aid the King in leading the French army into battle. She blindly trusted the Lord, His protection, and His call to her. Joan is said to have mainly carried the banner in battle, reminding the soldiers what they were fighting for. Despite her courage and trust in Our Lord, many thought Joan was a witch, or a convictable cross-dresser, since she would wear men’s clothing as a means of protection. However, Joan persevered. This great Saint helped the French win their battle and then later was heroically burned at the stake for her suspicious actions in 1431. Read more about her here: https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=295