As I continue to study dread and the biblical solution to such a paralyzing and thwarting emotion, I ask my youngest daughter what she believes is the opposite of dread.
“It’s peace,” she says. But then she revises that statement because we don’t think it’s altogether accurate. If dread involves assuming the worst and anticipating terrible things, then the opposite of dread is about believing good things for your day. “It’s hoping for the best,” she reasons. It’s choosing to believe wonderful things will happen today.
It’s living in the expectation of God’s goodness, provision, and surprise gifts and blessings. In this way, we stay fascinated by God as always loving and bountifully blessing.
It’s living in the reality of Psalm 31:19: “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.”