Fear is a Bullyনমুনা

Compassion Trumps Fear

Have you ever been so afraid you were paralyzed? I have.  

Some years ago, on a hike to a mountain lookout with my husband, I learned people living in fear have little capacity to pull others out.  

The path to the lookout was easy, the view breathtaking. But in order to get down to it, we had to pass through a narrow crevice between two mountain rocks. This challenged my fears. Even before we entered the crevice, anxiety clenched my chest. Nearby I saw a lady crying. I knew she was overwhelmed with the same fear. Our eyes met in understanding. But I was drawn forward by my husband.

As my husband reached for my hand, he said, “Look at me, and don’t take your eyes off mine.”  

He pulled me through. Solid rock encased me as we wiggled to the other end and stepped into light and freedom. He led me from fear to victory using his strongest asset—love and compassion; for love is the greatest tool we possess. It is the antidote of fear. This was the day I learned compassion trumps fear.

Sometimes we go through hard, tight places in our lives. We may feel we’re just wiggling through, darkness surrounding us, unable to see the way out. I know what and who fear is!  He is ugly and insidious. He is hateful and hurtful. He brings confusion and self-doubt. He wants to kill you, but he cannot stand against the truth, power, and love of God. He cannot stand against the promises and the peace that comes when we learn to walk in hope and fix our eyes on Him.

God looks at us with compassion, locks eyes with us, grasps our hands and declares:

"Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be with you.  When you’re in rough waters, you won’t go down.  When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end—Because I am God, your personal God, your Savior.  I paid a huge price for you...that’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you!" (Isaiah 43:1b-4a The Message)