You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. (1 Peter 3:6)
Fear is a liar. The first time I experienced an ocean, I was extremely afraid. I can swim, but I am not a great swimmer. And I had heard horror stories of ocean animals interacting negatively with humans. As I walked into the water from the beach, all seemed well. Until it wasn’t. I suddenly felt something begin to “attack” my feet. I was so afraid that I tried to run out, but it had grabbed me so tightly that I couldn’t move. I ended up falling allowing it to grab my arms and body next. I thought my life was over; in reality, I had algae on me. I was so afraid, that something as innocuous as algae deceived me. All my hope was lost because it was overruled by fear.
Peter warns women not to allow fear to deceive them and keep them from doing what’s right. They must—like Sarah—put their hope in God alone. And in doing that, they can be her daughters.
Sometimes what looks bad on the surface is actually good. Yet we allow our circumstances and fear to overwhelm us, and we miss the beauty of the journey. As Christ followers, we must trust that doing what is right is enough. We cannot allow fear to keep us from standing as sons and daughters of the Most High God.
Surrender your fears to God no matter what it requires.
Tara Klein is a Wesley Seminary [IN] graduate who enjoys relaxing with her family, serving others, and sharing God’s unconditional love with the lost and broken-hearted.
© 2023 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
