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I will not live in fear

by Stenoy (Steve) Stephenson

 
After a hectic day of meetings and supervision, I boarded the flight from Hong Kong to Sydney. It was not a pleasant flight. The plane met with several areas of turbulence. The stewardess dropped the wine bottle and, as she tired to pick it up, there was another bump and she jumped and sat

on the empty seat beside me. A few seconds later the plane took a huge dip, and the stewardess grabbed my arms screaming…("Hananim jebal andwae" in Korean meaning 'God! Please Please, God no!'). A few minutes later the plane seemed to be having a smooth flight as though nothing had happened. The stewardess looked around, looked at me in embarrassment and apologised. The moment of fear!!!

Catching something before it goes too far is wisdom. I recommend that any time we even begin to feel fearful about anything that we immediately renew our mind by saying, "I will not live in fear". Over time, this will help us become courageous rather than fearful. Call it to mind the instant you being to feel fear and ruminate on it even during the times when you are not afraid. By doing this you will be even more prepared to stand against fear when it does come.

Two weeks back, on a Friday afternoon, a young 8yr old was rushed to the San Emergency Care with life-threatening Group A Streptococcus with associated sepsis. He was gravely ill. Following treatment in San Emergency Care, he was transferred to the ICU at a different Hospital. He is now on a medical ward making progress. The staff impressed on the boy's parents that their child's life was saved by the staff in the Emergency Care at the Sydney Adventist Hospital.

Chaplain Paul O'Keefe met with the Boy's parents in the waiting room. They were trembling with fear. Fear of the unknown as they did not know what was happening to their child. They feared for his life. On Wednesday, the parents called Chaplain Paul and said "Our son is alive because of the San! Please pass on our heartfelt gratitude to the staff in Emergency Care. We cannot thank you enough for the professionalism, kindness, and dedication the staff demonstrated to our son and to our family. Is it possible to bring our son back to the San, when he is able, to thank the staff in Emergency Care and to perhaps have a small service of thanks in the Chapel? Your presence and prayers gave us assurance and peace during the fearful storm".

This is a reminder that assurance and peace are an integral part of our mission "Christianity in Action". Imagine the hundreds and thousands of people who come to the San with trembling hearts. We are in this business to give hope and eliminate fear. I am encouraged to realise that I am an agent of peace and fortitude and can help people who come to the San when in fear. The San is a shelter in the time of storm… "San saves child's life".

I say, "I will not live in fear" as soon as I feel fearful about anything, and it helps keep fear from controlling me. I may still feel fear, but I can move beyond it by realising that it is merely the enemy's attempt to prevent me from enjoying life or making any kind of progress. What can we do to "catch it early" and not let fear control us? Trust that God does not want us to live a life of fear. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind". 2 Tim 1:7 (NKJV)

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