When You’re Afraid 当你害怕时

[Dexu Xia]

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12

I had a medical checkup scheduled, and although I’d had no recent health concerns, I dreaded the visit. I was haunted by memories of an unexpected diagnosis long ago. While I knew God was with me and I should simply trust Him, I still felt afraid.

I was disappointed in my fear and lack of faith. If God was always with me, why was I feeling such anxiety? Then one morning I believe He led me to the story of Gideon.

Called “mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12), Gideon was fearful over his assignment to attack the Midianites. Although God had promised him His presence and victory, Gideon still sought multiple reassurances (vv. 16−23, 36−40).

However, God didn’t condemn Gideon for his fear. He understood him. On the night of the attack, He assured Gideon again of victory, even giving him a way to assuage his fears (7:10−11).

God understood my fear too. His reassurance gave me the courage to trust Him. I experienced His peace, knowing that He was with me regardless of the outcome. In the end, my checkup was uneventful.

We have a God who understands our fears and who reassures us through the Scriptures and the Spirit (Psalm 23:4; John 14:16−17). May we worship Him in thankfulness, just as Gideon did (Judges 7:15).  

By:  Karen Huang

What fears or challenges are you facing? How does it help to know that God is with you and wants to help you?

Dear God, thank You for not condemning my fears, but always reassuring me of Your presence. Help me to turn to You when I’m afraid and trust in You.

耶和华的使者向基甸显现，对他说：“大能的勇士啊，耶和华与你同在！”—士师记6章12节

我将要做健康检查，虽然我没什么健康问题，但还是很担心。因以前的某次检查曾有不良的诊断结果，使我心中有阴影。我知道上帝与我同在，也应该信靠祂，但仍会害怕。

我对自己的恐惧与缺乏信心感到失望。若上帝总是与我同在，为何我会如此焦虑难安呢？后来有一天早晨，我相信是上帝引领我思想基甸的心路历程。

基甸虽被称为“大能的勇士”（士师记6章12节），但对于上帝要他去攻打米甸人而感到惊慌害怕。虽然上帝应许会与基甸同在并使他得胜，他却多次求验证（16-23、36-40节）。

然而，上帝并未因基甸的恐惧而责备他，反倒是了解并接纳他。在准备进攻的当晚，上帝再次向基甸保证胜券在握，甚至告诉他要怎么做，好消除他的恐惧（7章10-11节）。

上帝也了解我的恐惧，祂的保证让我有勇气信靠祂。我经历了祂所赐的平安，知道无论结果如何，祂都与我同在。最终，我的检查报告一切正常。

这位上帝了解你我的恐惧，也会藉着经文与圣灵让我们能有确据（诗篇23篇4节；约翰福音14章16-17节）。愿我们跟基甸一样，以感恩的心敬拜上帝（士师记7章15节）。作者：  黃嘉仁

你正面对什么恐惧或挑战？
知道上帝与你同在并乐意帮助你，对你有何帮助？

天父，感谢祢在我惧怕时不责怪我，而是让我确信祢的同在。帮助我在害怕时能转向祢，并学习信靠祢。