The past few days have been quite unsettling. I get the sense that many people are fearful about what’s happening. What will happen to the price of groceries, will people be laid off or lose jobs? There are lots of unanswered questions, and some of those feelings come from a sense of betrayal. We thought we were good neighbours to the USA but most Canadians seem to feeling that we are under an economic attack.

So what do we do with that fear? And what do we do with other fears – of health, family, finance and the other headwinds that we face from time to time?

In Ephesians, Paul tells us to put on the armour of God. He does that in the context of the attacks of the evil one. I take that to speak about temptations, sins of commission, and maybe great discouragement.

But there is a theme here, that we need not find ourselves engulfed or consumed by fear. For we have the care of our Heavenly Father.

I realize not everyone has the best image of a father. It certainly should be about a man who provides, cares (tenderly) and encourages greatly. The illustrations from the Bible are plentiful.

I think first of all about the father who awaits his wayward son and stands with arms open, without judgement as his son returns. Secondly, I think about the disciples in a boat, scared they are going to drown when Jesus commands the waves and wind to cease and then all is calm…. PEACE! Thirdly I recall the words of Jesus to the worried disciples – pointing to the sparrows of the air and asking “My Father cares for them – don’t you think He cares for you who are worth so much more?”

The fear factor is our lives needs to be met with a faith factor.

After all, they don’t call it a leap of fear, do they! No, it’s a leap of faith!