Proverbs 3:25-26 - Sudden Fear

Proverbs 3:25 (New American Standard Bible) says, 
"Do not be afraid of sudden fear, 
Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes."

What is "sudden fear?" That phrase can also be translated, "sudden disaster."
I think it's the suddenness that we can fear.

A couple weeks ago, when I was told that I had a 5mm kidney stone, I was warned that passing it would cause excruciating pain. "Just wait for it." I don't know my metrics very well, and when I looked up what 5mm is, I experienced it: being afraid of sudden fear, of sudden disaster.

When the seriousness of COVID-19 first started being announced, my wife said it was like standing on a beach, back to the water, waiting for a tsunami to hit. You don't know when, you don't know how big. But there's a "fear of sudden fear."

Any number of things could loom on the horizon, we don't know how bad, we don't know when. Being told, "Do not be afraid of sudden fear" is insufficient. How do we manage that?

The next verse says, 
"For the Lord will be your confidence, 
And will keep your foot from being caught." (Proverbs 3:26, NASB)

It can also be translated, "For the Lord will be at your side."

Whatever you define as a "sudden disaster" that you might fear,
Even "if and when" it hits... the Lord will be with you.

Father, Forgive our distrust and worry. Thank You for the promise of Your presence. Give us faith to trust You for tomorrow as well as for today--whatever happens. In Jesus' name, Amen.