Afraid Yet Filled with Joy

"In over my head" might best describe how I felt as I made my first solo flight in an airplane during my college years. As I took off alone I was filled with fear mixed with excitement.

These same emotions — afraid yet filled with joy — describe the shepherds as they are frightened by a heavenly host yet filled with joy by the announcement of their Messiah's birth.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people". (Luke 2:10-11 NIV) 

Interestingly, the women visiting the empty tomb had this same feeling after hearing from the angel that Christ was raised from the dead.

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy... (Matthew 28:8 NIV) 

So often fear and joy accompany each other on our journeys. Join me in listening to the angels choosing not to be afraid, but rather filled with joy.
 

Sharing the journey with you,