Not a lot of things scare me anymore.  Since I've been at college, I have had the chance to think about a lot of things.  And with many of the good friends and professors I've been blessed with in my first year and a half, my thoughts have been focused mostly toward God and His plan for my life.  In the past few years, less and less has managed to make it into my fear column.  I used to lose sleep at night worried about death, about the mysteries of Heaven, and other meaningless fears out of my control.  But as my faith has grown stronger over the past couple years, these and other fears have been handed over to God in exchange for a peace like I have never felt before.

Yet, with this peace, I still have trouble with several fears.  Included in these is the fear of getting old.  Now I know I am only 19, and I have a lot of life left to live, but for some reason getting old just scares me.  Actually, the aging part doesn't bother me, but I am afraid of losing some of the "things" on this earth that I most love.  Most of the things I value here (aside from people) are mental and physical things.  I love playing sports, thinking logically, playing video games, and so on.  To think that my body and mind may not be able to handle these things is an overwhelming thought.  I know that plenty of seniors out there still play golf and tennis and are still sharp as a tack, and I pray that I am one of those.  However, many other older folks have lost a lot of their mental and physical capacities and may not even be able to care for themselves; even a lot of not-so-old people have to go through this.  To think that in a few years I may not be able to go out and throw a football for seven hours straight is certainly intimidating enough.  Even more so is the day that may come when I can't remember everything or think clearly (reminds me a lot of this morning...). 

But all that said, I hope I haven't scared any other college age or older people.  The thing to realize is that this is just like any other fear, and it needs to be handed over to God so He can turn it into peace.  "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (II Tim. 1:7).  If the spirt of fear is not from God, then I don't think I want it.  Fears like this can really hinder our relationship with God and our witness to others.  Whether your fear is dying, public speaking, being lonely, or whatever, just lay it before God and let Him give you peace.  Believe me, I've had those fears and more, and I can attest that He really can give you peace.  But you have to make a step toward Him and lay your troubles before Him. 

If anybody in the Scriptures had reason to be scared, it was David. And he sure was scared at times too.  But he also was able to give his fears to God. 

"I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.  The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.  I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.  The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.  The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears."

If you give your fears to God, He'll listen.  Trust me, I know it's hard to let go, and I certainly can't claim success against the devil's intimidations.  But, I pray that my faith (and yours!) will expand and grow as I expand and grow (well, grow anyway...), and that I can find hope that I'll be that much closer to God calling me Home, where David and I can throw football forever!