Fear Not!

One of the definitions of fear is “to take flight or run away from.” I think this is so fitting because that’s what fear does—it makes us want to run and hide.

Many years ago, someone told me a true story about a Christian woman who was paralyzed with fear. As a result, she spent most of her time in the house and hardly socialized with anyone.

One day, she told a friend, “I have lived my entire life in fear, and I don’t know what to do. I have no life.”

Her friend looked at her and said, “Whatever it is that you want to do, why don’t you just do it afraid?”

This story taught me an important lesson. When the Lord tells us to “fear not,” He’s not saying we will never feel fear. We will all feel afraid at various times in our lives.

He is telling us to not allow fear to control us and prevent us from moving forward. When we feel fear, we have a choice—we can do it afraid!

That’s what courage is. True courage is moving forward in the face of fear. You still feel fear, but you are determined, with God’s help, to move forward anyway.

John 14:27 (AMPC) says, Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid...do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

This is both a promise and a command. Through Jesus Christ, we can enjoy supernatural peace that goes beyond anything the world can offer. But we also have a part to play. God is saying, “Don’t allow yourself to be paralyzed with fear. Refuse to let the enemy stop you!”

God has a good plan for your life, and He doesn’t want you to be tormented by fear or let it hold you back from your destiny. His will is for you to be confident in His love, trusting Him to take care of you all along the way.

He desires for you to press forward with boldness and do all that He puts in your heart...even if you have to do it afraid.

Pray: “Father, thank You for helping me to make progress in the face of fear. I ask for Your grace to boldly and confidently move forward even when I feel afraid, knowing that You are with me every step of the way. In Jesus’ name, amen.”