“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
In 1975, Roger Hart conducted a study on where children felt safe to play. He focused on 86 children between the ages of three to twelve in a small town in Vermont. Hart documented everywhere the children played by themselves. He then took the data and made physical maps that measured the distance each child was allowed to go by themselves and what the average was for every age group. Hart discovered that the children had remarkable freedom. Most of the children “had the run of the entire town.” And the parents weren’t worried either.
Then several years ago (around 2014), Hart decided to return to the same town to document the children of the children that he had originally tracked in the ’70s. When he asked the new generation of kids to show him where they played, what he discovered was a shocking contrast. Hart said, “they didn’t have very far to take me – just walking around their own property.” The huge circle of freedom on the maps had grown tiny. Hart concluded, “There is little freedom outdoors. Even the parents of the older children were saying, ‘I need to know where they are at all times’.”
While one may quickly admit that this is normal because “times have changed,” this little Vermont town is not more dangerous than it was before. There is literally no more crime documented today than 40 years ago. So why have parental restrictions intensified and freedom for children to play greatly reduced? Hart comments that the reason was absolutely clear from his interviews. The reason was fear. He offers this conclusion to his new study: fear of the world outside our door narrows the circle of our lives.[1]
I share this study with you today not to argue for or against being overprotective parents. (According to my three precious daughters, I am most certainly in that category.). But, I share this story with you as a reminder that even in the most seemingly safe environments (like the little town in Vermont), fear can debilitate. I do not ask you to adjust your parenting skills after Hart’s study. And, that was not his purpose. I do ask you to consider how often fear can “narrow the circle of our lives.”
Are there times that you have become limited in what you would attempt or stifled in what you would believe because of fear? Are there moments when your faith in Jesus is weak (or seemingly non-existent) because of fear or panic?
Consider a message from the Scriptures that is timeless and filled with significant encouragement (comprised of 1 principle, 2 options, and 3 promises). From Isaiah 41:10, consider the one principle: “Do not fear.” God constantly reminded His people to “fear not.” Jesus shared the same with His disciples on many occasions (Luke 12:32). The church was also exhorted not to fear (2 Timothy 1:7, “for God has not given us a spirit of fear.”) Consider the two options in life: God spoke through the prophet, “be not dismayed, for I am your God.” These two statements demonstrate two responses – two options for life – that are ever before the child of God: being dismayed, or trusting God’s presence. . We can become dismayed – a term that actually describes one who anxiously looks about (paralyzed with fear). Or, we can rest in the irrefutable fact that God is for us (“I am your God.”) This represents covenant language, for God spoke to Israel long ago, “I will walk among you and be your God and you will be my people.” (Leviticus 26:12). How comforting that God’s covenant made long ago and fulfilled in Jesus remains the same at this very moment: He is for us and will be with us. We can anxiously look about, or we can trust His presence. Now consider the three promises: “I will strengthen you, I will help you, and I will uphold you.” “To strengthen” indicates that God will fortify or make His children strong (secure) regardless of surrounding circumstances. “To help” can actually indicate protection or safety. “To uphold” with His righteous hand indicates absolute and undeniable victory. In summary, God will make His children secure and safe. And He will do so with His mighty hand of victory (meaning God’s eternal and proven faithfulness).
So, today, regardless of how you view where you live, how you raise your children, or your own level of concern and fear, take a moment to hear God lovingly say to you, “do not fear.”
Do not throw caution to the wind, nor live as unwise, reckless people. And, do protect your children at all cost. But, regarding needless fear, allow God to remind you that He is indeed with you and is for you. And, by faith trust Him to strengthen you, help you, and uphold you with His righteous right hand. Today, do not live in fear. Trust God. Trust Him completely.
Blessings,
Ken
READ: Today, read Isaiah 41:1-13 and hear God say afresh and anew, “fear not.”
[1] Adapted from NPR, “World with No Fear,” Invisibilia podcast (1-15-15)
