This is the word of the LORD your Maker, the one who formed you from the womb: He will help you. Do not fear, Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
Isaiah 44:2
In our broken world, there is much to fear: evil, illness, financial struggles, even the decaying of our bodies as we age. Jesus tells us in Matthew six to not worry. Paul tells us in Philippians four to not be anxious. Depending on the translation, commands to not fear appear in the Bible somewhere between 70 and 150 times.
Obviously, the Lord is aware of our weaknesses, and fear is at the top of that list. We may know Jesus, be proficient in the Word of God, and say we trust in Him, so why does the battle between fear and faith still go on in our hearts?
If left to ourselves, we should fear. Attempting to walk through the challenges of this life, in our strength, and in our wisdom misses out on the promises and blessings of God’s Word.
“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Isaiah tells us in 44:1 that we are servants of the all-powerful God, whom He has chosen. He alone allows the circumstances in our lives that seem to be out of our control—because they often are.
When the apostle Paul asked the Lord three times to take the thorn from his side, God’s response was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) The truth is that God’s grace is sufficient for all of us. Whatever our circumstances might be, He allows it, and He will also sustain us.
Whether the situation in which we find ourselves is due to our own poor choices or not, our response should be the same: glorify God, repent, listen, and respond.
As we walk by faith through difficulty, our witness to the world stands out. Through this experience, the world gets a glimpse of Jesus, and God the Father is glorified.
Next, as sinners saved by grace, we should repent. Taking a deep dive into our hearts to see where we may have failed (sinned) and then ask for forgiveness.
Prayer isn’t a one-way conversation. We need to listen to what the Lord is saying to us. Maybe it’s merely walking in faith and trusting that God is working all things out for our good and His glory.
So, we pray, we listen, we wait… and then respond.
Fear is a byproduct of a broken world, but our response shouldn’t look the same as one who isn’t walking with Jesus.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we ask that You help us overcome fear, and instead, lean into faith. Remind us that we are Yours, and Your control is complete. There is nothing in this world that can snatch us from Your loving grasp—neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord—Romans 8:38-39. May we hold fast to Your truth, Father, and let fear never overrule our faith in Jesus.
