Do you ever feel like Henny Penny (aka Chicken Little) running from news report to news report and feeling like the world is about to end? Seriously, there is so much going on in the world these days between the economy and all the worldwide chaos that it is easy to be afraid, for our families, our children, our country. If you read the news or have recently had difficult news in your own life, then you may be quaking in your slippers. Last week, I found myself flipping from channel to channel on radio and TV for scraps of news. So much seemed to be going on in the world and of course it was all happening 11 years after something that shook our nation—9/11. It doesn’t take much to bring back the emotions of that day.

It's my aim here on my blog and in my writing to delve deep into the heart and heart issues. Quite often, fear rules our heart. It has mine in the past. I used to make decisions based on fear. Not a good way to live. Then I realized that fear doesn't come from God. Now, when I experience fear, I tend to head right into that storm. That doesn't mean I'm jumping out of airplanes or buying a spider for a pet or chasing tornadoes. Not unless God calls me specifically to do one of those things.

A long, long time ago, there were some seasoned fishermen riding in a boat. They should have felt right at home on the water. And yet, a storm blew up around them and suddenly they were scared they were going to die. That had to be some storm, right? I doubt these men were easily frightened. They knew what to do during a storm. But this storm was so big and so terrible that they were forced to turn to the one person they knew could save them—Jesus.

We can’t control our circumstances or calm the seas around us, but Jesus can. When you feel overwhelmed or scared or afraid, turn to the one who can save, the one who does save. One of my favorite passages from scripture is:

And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Rev. 1: 12b-18

This is not a watered down Jesus. This is a Jesus who is strong and in control. Here's another great description of Jesus: I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:11-16

This is a Jesus who can handle your problems and even more so the world's difficulties. Remember: Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and ever tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2: 9-11

If you have been afraid, my friends, I pray today you will reach out to Jesus and experience the peace only He can offer.

Labels: Chicken Little, Christ, deep in the heart, fear, heart, heart issues, Henny Penny, Jesus., out of control, the sky is falling