Redeeming the seasons of fear

“Fear not…I have redeemed you.”I know I’ve read these words before in Isaiah 43, but tonight they struck me in a new way.  They sound very churchy…very “easy answer” to hard questions.  And then I began to think about what I fear…and how God’s redemption may be a reason to have courage in the face of fear.  Not because I know what the redemption will look like or I even feel like it may be a possibility, but because some days I can allow myself to rest and trust that the redemption of the mess I’m living through has already taken place…even if I don’t feel or understand it’s effects for a very long time (if ever).

And I began thinking about my fears…some of which are prevalent in the reentry season…He was reminding me in a gentle way of how I can rest in His redemption.

Do not fear the unknown because I have redeemed your future.

Do not fear your past mistakes because I have redeemed their affect on you and others.

Do not fear what others think of your story because I have redeemed it and am making it beautiful in it’s own way.

Do not fear that you will make no impact on this world because I have redeemed your everyday routine actions.

Do not fear that this pain will cripple you forever because I have redeemed your worst nightmares.

Do not fear that you are not good enough because I have redeemed the best and the worst part of who you are.

Do not fear that your past was wasted because I have redeemed all the minutes of your life.

Do not fear that you are worthless in ministry because I have redeemed even your failed attempts.

Do not fear that you will be in this place forever because I have redeemed what is yet to come.

Do not fear that you have or will make a wrong decision because I have redeemed even your wrong paths.

Do not fear what others say about who you are because I have redeemed you in ways they aren’t meant to understand.

Do not fear that you will feel this way forever because I have redeemed even the most complicated emotions.

Do not fear you will never find community because I have redeemed this season of solitude.

Do not fear that you are alone in the journey because I have redeemed this intimate season of our journey together.

Do not fear that you are wasting this season because I have redeemed the empty spaces and unexciting moments.

Do not fear your doubts because I have redeemed your moments of disowning me.