Facing Fear

I once suffered a strong arm robbery on a dark Chicago street. Halfway down the block, I saw two young men turn the corner and headed in my direction. That had never happened before, and I could not have outrun them if I wanted to. So I proceeded and faced them head-on, accepting whatever was coming my way. Afraid and speechless after being robbed of $90, I continued my duties for the night. Why did I go home, refresh myself, and proceed to continue my assigned task in spite of my fears?. You don't always know why, but sometimes, you just do ''it" anyway. On another occasion, a gentleman said to me, "Don't you know that you are in 'the snake pit?" Again, although calm and sounded no alarms, I feared great bodily harm. And just in the nick of time, a good Samaritan from the neighborhood came to my rescue, demanding that I be left alone. I was guilty of trying to make a difference in the lives of drug addicts and spent many hours pleading with them to make a change. Doubtless, I was guilty of introducing Christ to the inner city people of Chicago. During the late 60's and early 70's, I was frequently found on streets in danger zones and in high rise housing projects. I knew the danger that I constantly faced as I went many times alone in places I had to go. In spite of the fear of real danger, I proceeded anyway. I'm not the bravest person around, not a fighter, nor do I carry weapons, but on many occasions I have forced myself in the midst of my fears, to walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I knew that God was with me, but I must confess, I was still afraid and feared evil. However, I refused to allow the fear of evil to arrest, captivate, imprison, and hold me hostage. 09182018PoSoupContest, Mid Sept 2018 Premiere, Brian Strand Psalm 23