I got a call this afternoon from a certain area bank. I immediately regretted answering as soon as the guy began his pitch to sell me insurance. But not just any insurance. Seatbelt insurance.
Are you kidding me? I laughed out loud and politely declined. He kind of chuckled and said “well, it’s in case you get into an accident and get injured from the seatbelts…”
Needless to say, it was a short conversation. I understand health insurance, dental insurance, and car insurance. Mishaps in those areas are expensive and the odds that you’ll need it in your lifetime are pretty good. But why do we think we need insurance for everything? Why do we give in to the people who are trying to profit on our fears?
I blame it on the media, and though my husband is in advertising, I blame it on that industry too. Fear equals drama, and some people love it. I’ve seen the local newscast turn a turtle crossing the road into a major traffic story. If they can make drama out of that, they can make drama out of anything.
But it’s getting worse every day. Soon we’ll hear how turtles are somehow dangerous to drivers… and then they’ll be new companies forming to come rid your property of these horrible creatures that could cause accidents (even death!) on your very road…so you’ll need turtle insurance too…but where will it end?
Why do we let ourselves get so easily frightened? Why do we believe these people, who we know are just after our money? Are we that desperate to feel like we can protect ourselves from all bad things? Are we that anxious to maintain a feeling of control?
Where is the trust that God will protect you?
Trusting in God doesn’t mean that nothing bad will ever happen, it just means that when bad things do happen, that you trust that it’s part of His plan. The things that are part of his plan are going to happen one way or another, despite how much money you spend.
In addition, we too often let other people (media, advertisers, our mothers…) define “bad things” for us. Meaning, if you get into an accident, and the seatbelt cuts into your side as it saves your life, that it’s not only not a “bad thing” to be feared, it’s really okay. The seatbelt did it’s job, right?
We need to ask God for help, not to just protect us, but to guide us to make the choices paramount to our personal safety. To help us discern where there is real danger, and where there are just turtles and seatbelts. Any mother knows the sensation of watching her children, and seeing five seconds ahead to how something could go terribly wrong. That’s the kind of foresight that you pray for, but on a bigger scale. There’s no need for fear.
The LORD is my light and my salvation–whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1