Jerusha: I’m delighted to welcome back my dear friend and fellow author, Emily Conrad! Emily is sharing her special brand of faith-filled encouragement as well as giving away one free digital copy of her novel, Justice! Read on and leave a copy below to enter the giveaway!
By Emily Conrad
Terrified. The shepherds were terrified. So much so that they stood in the midst of the shining glory of God without recognizing it as a good thing.
What had affected them this way? The appearance of an angel, come to tell them of Christ’s birth.
The Bible doesn’t specifically spell out why the shepherds were afraid in that moment, but I have a guess. Their job was to guard the flocks of sheep. They’d likely fended off their share of wild animals, yet here was a mighty being they clearly had no way to defeat. They, and not just their sheep, seemed to be in danger.
They weren’t looking for the glory of God and the hope of good news. They were in that field, watching for threats to their livelihoods. So, when something happened, they interpreted it as a threat. They saw what they were looking for.
Two thousand years later, our livelihoods, families, money, and dreams graze in the fields of our lives, white and fluffy and susceptible to danger. So we shepherd them.
We spend nights worrying about them. We fend off dangers and keep a wary eye out for threats.
There have been times in my life when something good happened, but I saw what I’d been looking for: danger. And like the shepherds, I was afraid.
But, thankfully, the shepherds’ story doesn’t end with fear.
The angel, who terrified them so, spoke hope:
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. – Luke 2:10
The good news was the ultimate birth announcement: Jesus the Savior was born, come to save the world from sin.
Believing this, the shepherds changed their tune. After the angels left them, they no longer seemed so concerned about their livelihoods. They ran into town, likely leaving behind the sheep they were supposed to watch without a second thought. No fear.
Then, they went on to do something many of us still fear to this day: they told others about Jesus.
The shepherds beat their fears. We can, too.
To do so, we must understand we open the door to fear when we watch for threats to our earthly well-being instead of watching for the hope and salvation of God. We invite fear when we make it our job to shepherd our lives instead of trusting the Good Shepherd.
When fear hits us, we must take it as a command to put our faith back fully in Jesus. In His care, we have nothing to fear.
Yes, sometimes, our hopes and dreams seem scattered like lost sheep, but we must trust that this is for ultimate good.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28
How can this be? Contrary to what I suggested above, the flocks on the hills aren’t actually made up of our dreams or hopes or livelihoods—that’s just what we start to believe when we’re opening the door to fear.
The flocks on the hills are made up of our very souls. When we put ourselves under the care of the Good Shepherd, there is nothing at all that can threaten our safety. He guards us for eternity.
Like the shepherds so long ago, we are free and secure to entrust everything to God. After all, as Zechariah prophesied in his portion of the Christmas account, this is why Jesus came:
that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. – Luke 1:74-75
So when fear surfaces, whether it’s because of something apparently bad or apparently good, let’s turn ourselves over to the Good Shepherd again.
Let’s remember that, whatever appears threatening is never out of the control of the Good Shepherd, and that He can be trusted with our ultimate safety.
Let’s follow the shepherds’ example and take that angel’s advice: Do not be afraid.
Do you find yourself looking for danger instead of watching for the hope and salvation of God? How have you learned to trust instead of fear? Please share!
Photos by Joanna Kosinska, Aperture Vintage, and Taylor Leopold on Unsplash. Original graphics designed by Jerusha Agen.
Emily Conrad writes Christian romance and a blog to encourage women of faith. Her debut novel, Justice, released from Pelican Book Group in 2018.
She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two rescue dogs. She loves Jesus and enjoys road trips to the mountains, crafting stories, and drinking coffee. It’s no coincidence Justice is set mostly in a coffee shop!
Connect with her online at www.emilyconradauthor.com and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Emily is giving away one digital copy of Justice to one of you! Simply leave a comment below for your chance to win! (Giveaway ends Dec. 23, 2019; winner must have continental U. S. mailing address.)
Justice
The love of a lifetime, a quest for justice, and redemption that can only be found by faith.
Jake thought he was meant to marry Brooklyn, but now she’s pregnant, and he had nothing to do with it. Brooklyn can’t bring herself to name the father as she wrestles with questions about what her pregnancy means and how it will affect her relationship with Jake.
If Harold Keen, the man who owns the bookstore across from Jake’s coffee shop, has anything to do with it, the baby will ruin them both.
Can Jake and Brooklyn overcome the obstacles thrown in their path, and finally find the truth in God’s love and in each other?
Comments 18
What an inspiring post! Thank you for this beautiful reminder, Emily! Merry Christmas!!!
Thanks so much for reading, Rachel! I’m glad the post resonated with you. Merry Christmas!
It’s so tough, since we have such a strong, instinctual desire to protect ourselves and our little worlds. But of course, we can’t. Only God can! The sooner we learn that lesson, the sooner we can move from a place of futility to a place of contented trust.
You’re so right, Katie! It’s hard to resist fiercely guarding what’s “ours.” So thankful we’re in God’s good hands. <3
I constantly remind myself that The God of creation, the Great I Am, is in control! He knows what is best and I can rest in Him! After all, He gave His only Son for our Salvation. He has a plan. I am forever grateful! No matter the present world circumstances or the lives of my loved ones, sickness or unrepentant people, I still thank and praise Him! All things work together for good, for those who are the called according to his purpose.
Amen, Paula! Thank you so much for these great reminders!
Very touching post, Emily. I can relate to the shepherds with the changes at work. The fearful me can see this new situation as a threat to my comfort, but, as I saw today at our office gift exchange, God is looking out for me and blessing me with wonderful new bosses and friendly co-workers. I know it’ll work out and, just like the shepherds, I have to trust in God that He won’t steer me wrong!
I can relate to their fear, too, Carol. I’m so glad you can already see God’s hand in your situation at work! You’re right that He won’t steer you wrong. <3
Thank you for this wonderful post! I remind myself that the GREAT I AM lives in me!
Such an empowering truth, Caryl! Thanks so much for joining the conversation.
Author
Congratulations, Caryl! You’re the randomly selected winner of a digital copy of Emily Conrad’s Justice! I’ll email you with more details. Thanks for joining the conversation!
YAY! Thank you so much! Have a blessed Christmas!
I remind myself that God has not given me a spirit of fear. Thank you for sharing as this is a great reminder to us all. Merry Christmas.
Another wonderful truth <3 Merry Christmas, Lelia!
The way I handle fear is knowing my God is in control of all things. I used to have great fear but I had the preacher and the saints to lay hands on me and pray for God to remove that fear. And God gave me peace immediately and now I leave all things in His Hands after I pray.
What a wonderful testimony, Brenda. Knowing we’re in God’s loving, all-powerful care is certainly a fear buster–as is prayer!
And yet again those shepherds of Luke 2 teach me something. Isn’t God’s word amazing? What should be a season of enthusiasm, anticipation, hope, is often wrought with fear. Thanks for turning things back to the grand announcement of Emmanuel’s coming to free us from the bondage of fear.
Yes, Mary! God’s Word is so rich, we can never exhaust all there is to learn. Thanks so much for stopping by today!