Who do you turn to in times of trial? There has been no shortage of trials the past couple of years. Corporations, private businesses, churches and individuals, all faced the various phases of Covid challenges. Understandably, many turned to the government for guidance, mandates, loans and stimulus payments. Who else was there to turn to?

In an interview titled, “America Needs a Return to First Principles”, John Cogan, who served in the Reagan budget office, and Kevin Warsh, who worked in the George W. Bush White House, cited three shockwaves this century that have helped put government on a new trajectory:

• The 9/11/2001 attacks "created a national security fear." New security regulations were introduced establishing the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the surveilling of individual cell phone activity – The result was increased size and scope of government and a compromise of individual liberties;
• The 2009 financial system collapse "created a profound fear that our financial institutions weren't capable of meeting the stresses of markets." The financial institutions were dealt a new round of regulatory requirements that produced more hurdles for personal and business loans – The result was increased size and scope of government and a compromise of individual liberties; and,
• The 2020 pandemic "caused Americans to fear for their health." From lockdowns to mask and vaccine mandates, government inserted itself into health policy and procedures – The result was increased size and scope of government and a compromise of individual liberties.

The expansion of government is usually done with good intention when facing a specific crisis. The question is why, after a crisis passes, does the government never reduce its size and scope? It seems fear gets stirred up around a crisis, or its potential recurrence, and many continue to turn to the government for help. Who do you turn to?

“I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me.”- Exodus 20:2-3. “No other gods” is a clear directive in this first commandment. But other gods show up when unhealthy fear is entertained. In his devotion book, My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers has said, “If you fear God, you fear nothing else. If you do not fear God, you fear everything else.” There is a correlation between fear and dependency. The charge for dads is to always turn to the one True God and lead the way in family with a reverent fear for Him that will keep everything else in perspective.

Prayer guide: Father, thank You for Your word and Your presence in times of trial. I confess that I have allowed myself to get caught up in the various crises of these times. I have been fearful for friends and family, and allowed other gods to show up and distract me. Forgive me. Thank You for Your presence in my life and the reminder that I am to fear You alone. You are an awesome God and a wonderful Father! Grant me strength to turn to You and lead my family in a reverent fear for You. That is the dad You call me to be, and that is the dad my kids need to see.  Amen.

A faithful father always turns to God and fears Him alone.