One week and a few days after I got back from Korea last year, I attended a Kids Ministry bonding with our Kids Church staff and pastor. When I was walking back home that night, something terrible happened to me. Only my close friends know about this at first. But I could not hide my bruises and wounds and pain all over my body, so I had to explain briefly or elaborately to different people. Actually, I did not plan to write about this at all. But now that I am ready, I want to share what this experience taught me.

That night, I faced a deep fear within me: Fear of being alone and fear of someone attacking me. I know I am brave. But I realized I was not brave enough and I was still missing out on something important. This knocked me off hard. The following questions below were my questions and God's answers as I communed with God. These helped me overcome my fears. I pray that these will also allow you to reflect on your fears, whatever they may be, and help you overcome them later on.


1) What does fear do?

2) Why does God allow us to fear?

Oftentimes we wonder about God allowing us to fear when His love can overcome fear if we are perfected in His love. In Matthew 8, Jesus' disciples got terrified of the storm. They were so afraid of struggles that their first reaction was to doubt. However, this is not the appropriate response. For if we let that fear or doubt prevail in us instead of recognizing our dependence on Him, we will not only "struggle with the oars" but we will plunge into rock bottom. What we need to realize though is God allows these struggles to happen because these are opportunities for our faith to grow and mature.

3) How does God protect us from our fears?

As we grow and mature during and after our struggles, God makes us strong. He enables us to face our fears and do the impossible. When we rely on Him, the struggle becomes less and it becomes easier for us to bear. I remember the verse from Matthew 11:30 about having an easy yoke and a light burden. God makes these possible because His strength is more than enough for you and me.

I could not imagine being strong without God. After what happened to me, I got so afraid to go home or even walk in our neighborhood alone when darkness started to creep in. I declined almost all birthday and Christmas Party invitations then. I entered into a time of hibernation. But God gave me courage and strength during those times. It did not happen overnight. But everyday, He reminded me that I could face my fear of being alone or attacked again because I have Him. True enough, freedom from all kinds of fears can only be attained through Him.