When I was in sixth grade (in the mid 1990s) I distinctly remember the principal and my teachers taking all the sixth graders into a room and sitting us down together. They had some somber news to share with us, and I’m sure this was not easy for them. One of our classmates had been shot and was in the hospital. I do not remember the details, but it was gang-related. Some of the sixth-grade girls were immediately in tears, and some of the boys expressed their anger about the situation. I felt sad and a little worried, but it didn't affect me in the same way as my peers since I didn't know the boy that well. Thankfully, he was not killed and returned to school after he recovered from his injury.

This particular situation wasn't a shoot-out at our school or one I was directly involved in. It didn't get play in the mainstream media. Especially in the past few months since the bombing in Paris, I’ve noticed a heightened focus on fear—not just fear of terrorists, or fear of those holding a concealed weapon, but a heightened fear of each other. There's fear that someone will judge the color of our skin, the religious beliefs we have or even just the fear of the stranger sitting on the bench across from us in the park.

Since history began there have been wars, murders and fears ingrained in us so many different ways. This is not a new concept. Cain, as the very first murderer, killed his very own brother out of jealously. King David led many battles. The Israelites even feared God so much that they refused to hear His words at Mount Sinai and sent Moses to talk to Him.

Today, however, media is playing off of our fear and heightening it.

Yes, it is true that one day the bus we ride to work might be blown up by terrorists, or we might get mugged on our run, or some other equally appalling thing could happen to us or someone we love. But we cannot let this fear rule our lives. One of the main reasons we fear is because we are not trusting God in that moment.

In Mark 4 we read of a story about Jesus Christ. He was riding in a boat with His disciples. While Jesus was asleep, His disciples feared the boat might sink in the storm of the night. When Jesus was awoken from His sleep, He said to His disciples: “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:39).

Another remarkable story of Jesus is when he walked on water to the boat where His disciples were. They had a hard time believing it was Him. They were afraid, even thinking that He was a ghost. Then Peter said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You in the water.”  Soon after walking out on the water, Peter was frightened by the strong winds and began to sink. Christ said to Him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31).

We must not doubt God’s protection. Even if He allows something terrible to happen to us, even if it means our physical life is taken away, we must not let this deter us. Even when Peter doubted and began to sink, Jesus grabbed His hand. He did not let him drown. God has an amazing plan for us, and when the time is right, He will reveal this plan.

Should my classmates or I have been faced with that fear at the age of 11? No, of course not. But as long as the prince of the power of the air rules this earth we will be faced with these fears. We must find godly ways to channel it. Even though evil, sickness, war, and more surround us, God is always by our side (Psalm 91:1-16). We must put faith in Him through the trials of this world.