It fascinates me that we tend to not only hide our fears from each other, but from God. We talk to him as though he’s impressed with the mask we wear.

Jesus would have nothing to do with such hiding. In Gethsemane he called out to God with loud crying and tears (Mt. 26:36-46; Heb. 5:7-10). He didn’t hide his fear of the approaching storm of betrayal, denials, beatings, scourging, ridicule, crucifixion, isolation from his Father and death. Jesus did this because he knew his Father could be trusted with his fear. Three times he prayed, “Yet not as I will, but as you will.” While God’s purpose may run against the grain of our personal wishes, we have nothing to fear because he is with us. And whatever losses we suffer, he will recycle for our good (Romans 8:28).