Locked In Fear
She refused to travel overseas and even limited going into the city
Reference: “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”” John 20:19 NIV
Explore: When at the hairdresser recently, I had one of the apprentices wash my hair. I asked her some basic questions to keep the conversation flowing, like how long she’d been working and what got her interested in hairdressing.
When she turned the questions back to me I explained to her that I was just back from a work trip overseas. She was impressed that I would travel, particularly overseas.
As we continued the conversation she revealed she was petrified of terrorism. She refused to travel overseas and even limited going into the city and to big public events for fear of suicide bombers and other acts of terrorism.
I was shocked into silence for a few moments. This young girl, with her whole life before her, was being filled with fear. I tried to calm her fears by talking about probabilities of it happening to her but it was soon time for me to move chairs and our conversation came to an end.
But our discussion has not finished in my mind. I still think of this young hairdresser’s apprentice and wonder how many more people are living with fear every day.
Application: Your fear may not be about terrorism but maybe it’s something else. People fear being rejected, being alone, failing, dying, losing something precious… the list can go on.
Reading John 20 reminded me that Jesus surpasses all our fears.
The disciples had locked themselves in a room because they feared the religious leaders would come to kill them. I think that’s a pretty good reason to lock a door! But it didn’t stop Jesus.
Suddenly, Jesus stood among them. He broke through all their barriers, both physical and emotional, and became present to them.
He can do the same today.
We don’t need to be bound in fear when we have Jesus in our lives. He breaks down the barriers of fear and is more present than any fear could ever be.
If you have a fear holding you back, ask Jesus to come and stand with you. He will not leave you but comes with peace.
Prayer: Lord, you did not give us a spirit of fear, but You can shatter all fear. May we not be bound by the “what ifs” but live in freedom and trust in You. Amen.
What do you fear?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.