Out of place and afraid…

The Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC stretched a long city block, almost three football fields. The wide mid-block steps, flanked by two large marble statues, led to the main entrance. Above the entrance, a high portico graced with six tall marble columns stretched to the sky.

I stood at the bottom of those steps, out of place, and afraid. The comfort of home and all it represented lay 400 miles away. Loneliness and fear engulfed me, causing me to wish I’d never left Charlotte.

Papers in hand, I made my way before the Congressional sub-committee seeking testimony on the impacts of Green Infrastructure. I was one of seven panelists that day. A mayor, a congressman, an architect, the director of a horticultural society, an engineer, and a commissioner for a water department sat alongside me, most holding a different viewpoint than the one I represented. My position also happened to not be popular with the ranking member of the sub-committee.

The proceedings began. My anxiety increased. The committee awaited my comments. I anticipated the worst. Then came the questions. At one point I was sure something within me was going to jump out of my body and run screaming out of the building.

You may find yourself in situations where you are afraid or anxious. I’ve not lived a second in your shoes, but you and I have likely experienced both real and perceived fears, and on multiple occasions.

Whether I “feared” something or experienced “anxiety” over something, it seemed the same to me. It may be the same with you. For today’s purposes, I’m going to call the emotion, “fear”.

Fear has the ability to cripple us. Being diagnosed with a serious health issue is real. Losing a job is real. Facing someone intending to harm you is real. And, in my opening story, being afraid I would be criticized or worse, found to be an unreliable panelist, was real to me.

So, what do we do when experiencing fear?

“For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” (2 Timothy 1:7, HCSB)

In Psalm 56:11, the psalmist writes, “In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (NASB)

God wants better for us. His Spirit gives us power, love and sound judgment. We must give our fears to Him and ask Him to overcome them.

I encourage you to not despair. Place your trust in God. He alone has power over everything and everyone, physical or spiritual.

The photo of the old truck spurred today’s post. In light of the truck being parked along a modern city street in uptown Charlotte, it looks out of place. However, at the same time, the truck fit the character of the neighborhood more than the modern vehicles behind it. Look at the sidewalks and the homes. They, like the truck, have more traditional than contemporary character.

Like the truck, we may feel out of place and fearful. But, if we are placing our trust in God, in His eyes we are right where we should be, right when we should be.

Let me know how you overcome fear.