Firefighters

Firefighters (Photo credit: thomaswanhoff)

It’s not possible to go bravely all the time.  Sometimes we must go afraid. I read that phrase “go afraid” in a Guideposts magazine article many years ago.

The story was about a group of people trapped inside a burning building. Firefighters struggled valiantly to rescue the people so they wouldn’t die. The firefighters got the group to start moving to safety, but everyone had to cross a scary barrier. One woman balked.  The fire terrified her. 

“I’m afraid,” she cried to the fireman. 

“Then go afraid!” he shouted.  Still feeling frightened, the woman crossed what seemed an unsteady support.  But when she obeyed the expert, despite her fearful feelings, he was able to help her.

Our fears can be different types, with different levels of danger.  The writer Anne Tyler, in her book “Celestial Navigation,” described a character who carried herself like an over-filled teacup. That’s what it’s like to be overwhelmed, to feel exhausted or fragile. Or to feel afraid of something, like fear of criticism or rejection or ridicule. The fears, some more serious than others, multiply until we may say inside, “I can’t go. I’m afraid.”

But there’s something good to read about feeling fearful or being “Exhausted But Pursuing,” by Gary Wilkerson, in the February 6, 2012 World Challenge Pulpit Series.  The encouragement is at http://www.worldchallenge.org.

On the back of the newsletter are words from Isaiah 43:1-2: “Fear not…when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

It’s so difficult to go afraid. But God promised. Somehow, God will help.



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