Is it just me, or has this Spring hatched an unusually high population of ticks? Before moving to Southwest Virginia I rarely made contact with these critters. But now I often see them up close and personal. So far, I’ve extracted two ticks from my hair, and one from my back. I’ve found two others crawling on our furniture. 

And suddenly a new fear attacks my peace of mind. It may sound silly, or trivial ~ but I’m afraid of ticks. Actually, I’m not afraid of ticks, but of the Lyme disease they may carry.

Several years ago a colleague shared with me the health problems Lyme disease had inflicted on her life. Because it robbed her of energy, she could no longer stay as active as she liked. Perhaps even more distressing, she continued to struggle with an impaired ability to remember appointments, commitments, or conversations. Every time I look at these tiny bugs, I remember her story, and fear grips my heart. 

I think most of us fear something. And those fears launch a number of what ifs, such as: What if I get Lyme disease and lose the ability to remember things? What if I won’t be able to maintain an active lifestyle?

When I allow these questions to run repeatedly through my mind, I give my fears the power to paralyze me ~ both physically and spiritually. I’ve studied the Bible long enough to know God doesn’t want me to live in fear. But I need something more than just knowing I shouldn’t be afraid. I need a plan to face my fears. Thankfully, God’s word can help.

In Proverbs we read this piece of wisdom:

The prudent see danger and take refuge,
     but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. (Proverbs 22:3 NIV)

The prudent, or wise person, sees danger and then seeks protection. Since whatever we fear poses a threat to our well-being, we are wise to minimize our risks. So often I find my fears arise out of limited knowledge. I assumed every tick will bite me, and immediately infect me with Lyme disease. 

The more I learn about what I fear, the better prepared I become in minimizing its threat. When I made a careful search on the Internet, I discovered I’m not alone in my fear of ticks. My search also unearthed helpful information about ticks, Lyme disease, and the ways we can protect ourselves.

However, no amount of preparation removes all the risks. Because we will still be vulnerable to whatever we fear, we need to stand on God’s promises. This Scripture has become my mantra when I think of those ticks:

I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant;
     their faces are never covered with shame. (Psalm 34:4-5 NIV emphasis added)

When we look to the Lord and trust in Him, He doesn’t promise to eliminate what we fear. But by facing our fears with Him, He will free us from them all ~ even our fear of ticks. We will be radiant, and no longer paralyzed.

A few years ago, someone taught me this truth: Because of God’s promises, we can answer our what if questions with even ifs. In my case: Even if I get Lyme disease and lose my ability to remember, the Lord will remember me and stay with me. Even if I can’t maintain an active lifestyle, the Lord will give me an abundant life. 

When we take our fears to the Lord, He delivers us from them. 

Wherever our journey leads us, I’m sure we will find many more reasons to be afraid. I pray we will face those fears by seeking the help of the One who promises to deliver us.