DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- FEAR AND JOY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – FEAR AND JOY

"But the angel answered and said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.  Come, see the place where the Lord lay.  And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him.  behold, I have told you.'  So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word."  (Matthew 28:5-8)

Inquiring minds want to know.  How can you have such different emotions at the same time?  Fear and joy?  

I can only relate to this by illustration.  When I stood before the preacher at the altar waiting for my bride to come down the aisle, I was filled with fear and great joy.  I was afraid because I didn't know what the future held, but I had great joy in seeing the love of my life.

I have had other experiences like this.  Resigning from my career as a teacher to enter Christian ministry was one.  I had some fear about how I was going to move forward, but there was a sense of great joy and peace in knowing that God had something in store for my family and I.

Fear comes from not knowing what the future may hold.  Joy comes from knowing that God is in control and has a plan to accomplish.  

As I face the future, sometimes I have fear because I don't know what tomorrow holds.  But I have joy knowing that God will do what is best.  

May you have a sense of joy in your trust in God, even if there are shades of fear.  He is in control and will accomplish His will.  And it will be good.

Love, Dad