Devotion: Sanctifying Fear (Meditations on the Vocation of Motherhood)

Sanctifying Fear

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.… He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:6,8

We don’t face the towering nations of Canaan like Joshua did. But, I have been known to cower in the bedroom for a few minutes, fearful of the little people I will find when I come out! We often have big fears: How can I continue to stay at home/afford daycare with the finances as they are? Will this child’s illness ever improve? Am I slowly going insane from all the pressures of mothering? God knows our little fears, too: Will the leftovers stretch to feed us all at lunch? When will I ever get time alone with my husband again? Will I literally explode if the toddler asks “why” one more time?

Every day, we fight our fears, working to trust God. Every day, God is faithful and He fights the source of our fears, giving us reason for courage. The separation from Him that we deserve was suffered on the cross by Christ, Who was forsaken because of our sins. We no longer have to fear His absence. God doesn’t promise to safeguard us from life’s problems, but He does promise to be with us every step of the way, through all of our fears, little or big.

Not only does God uphold us during fearful times, He also brings about good through our troubles. How is God working in this situation to strengthen your faith or develop Godly virtue in your character? When you are fearful, cast your anxiety on the Lord, looking for blessings in your struggles.

“Fear not, I am with you; O be not dismayed,
For I am your God and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call you to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow,
For I will be with you in trouble to bless
And sanctify to you your deepest distress.” (Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary 521:2,3)

For Further Reading: Deuteronomy 31; Isaiah 43:1-21

This devotion is provided to offer encouragement to all of you mothers out there, from my book, or my upcoming book, for free distribution. Please read, be encouraged, and share the love of Christ! This devotion is from Meditations on the Vocation of Motherhood: Volume One. It is brief, keeping in mind "mom-sized-moments" between all of our callings.

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