Preferring Common Sense Over Fear

Back in the 1980's I had a friend who was, well, kinda paranoid about her kids' safety. 

One day we sat at the park while our kids played and she pointed to a row of hedges and chuckled, "I see those and I imagine bad guys lurking behind them." Always she insisted we lock the car doors before we buckled up. She drilled her kids about Stranger Danger until they felt every unknown person was a potential kidnapper.

Following our visits I'd feel a worry cloud drape over me. I'd watch Naomi closer and drill her about safety, I'd lock the car doors immediately and check behind bushes at the park.

Sigh.

And then eventually I'd have to shake that cloud of worry off because living in fear felt dreadful. It wasn't godly for one thing, nor biblical and it ruined my days. At that time in my life I was lonely and wanted to imagine strangers as possible friends, not potential kidnappers of my daughter. 

I wanted to view other people the way God viewed them--with compassion and a love which was strong enough to lead Jesus to a cross.

So God led me to balance. He reminded me that wisdom goes far in keeping my family safe--go out at foolish times to questionable places and you're begging for trouble. But use common sense and basic safety skills? You'll most likely remain safe. And I think He showed me how to transmit this to Naomi without instilling a distrust of all people everywhere, but rather, a trust upon God's protection. 

(I chatted with someone yesterday, a former child of the 80's, who still feels the stranger danger fear and distrust of people. Still, at over 30-years-old. Oh dear.)

Living in fear is tragic. It's hard on our health, physical and mental. 

Yes, the world has become more dangerous. I get that. But God has not become weaker, nor does He love people any less than ever before in History. And now? He asks that I view fellow shoppers as not only possible friends, but potential lovers of God. 

I see many sad eyes out there and may I remain sensitive to God's nudges to step over and help a potential child of His find her way Home.

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If old-fashioned shyness is more of a problem when dealing with strangers, here's a post I wrote about that.


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"Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live." ... Dorothy Thompson


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