Confidence to Drive out Fear

                My husband and I, like many young families, don’t live in the sunny suburbs of a quite small town where nothing happens. We do not have a front porch with rocking chairs on it or a white picket fence surrounding our yard and our neighbors do not through cookouts or barbeques at someone’s house every weekend. We do not feel unsafe where we live, but if we look out our windows, we will often spot some seedy characters passing by our house. Even as I sit at the window and write, I have watched a homeless man dig through our garbage for cans and another man pass by who looked strung out on whatever drugs he was doing last night. I have been warned numerous times not to talk to people where we live, never to walk outside after dark, and to always make sure our doors and windows are locked. I have also been told to be wary of strangers in our local grocery store, coffee shop, pharmacy, and schools.

                Psalm 11 talks about having confidence in the Lord. David was often in the position of running for his life and he wrote many Psalms about trusting God for safety. In this psalm, David refuses to run and hide from his enemies because he knows his mission is to do the work of the Lord. He is confident that he will succeed because the Lord is in charge of delivering justice. David begins this Psalm by arguing with those who have told him to run by saying, “I have taken refuge in the Lord. How can you say to me, ‘Escape to the mountain like a bird!’”

                I wonder if there is anything in my life I am running from rather than trusting in the Lord. Do I let other people dissuade me from having confidence in God? If I had full confidence in God’s protection, how would my interactions with people look different? I do not want to live my life afraid of strangers. I believe God has given me instincts and good judgment for a reason and that I should not life my life as if every person has the intent to harm me. Instead I want to live as if every person I meet is in need of God’s love.

                Lord, Please give me the wisdom to have confidence in You. Please do not let fears keep me from doing what You have made me to do. Help me to love other people the way You have taught me to love and trust You rather than being afraid.