Fear shows up uninvited and oftentimes unexpectedly- maybe the fear of the unknown, failure, or challenges ahead. Unfortunately, it hinders one from moving forward, and beclouds our sense of judgment. As Christians, we are called to live by faith, and not by fear. *“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline”* (2 Timo. 1:7).
Faith does not mean ignoring our fears; it means trusting God to guide us through them. David, a man after God’s own heart, understood this well when he wrote, *“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise - in God I trust and am not afraid.”* (Ps. 56: 3-4). David did not deny his fear but acknowledged it, and chose to place his trust in God. You too can trust God in your fearful moments, knowing that He is with you every step of the way. One powerful way to combat fear is by remembering who God is. He is our protector, provider, and ever-present help in times of trouble. Prophet Isaiah offers comfort when we are afraid: *“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand”* (Isa. 41:10). God’s promises remind us that we are never alone. When fear creeps in, we can rest in the assurance that He will strengthen and help us. Prayer is another powerful weapon against fear. When fear threatens to overwhelm us, we can bring our worries to God and leave them on the altar of prayer (Phil. 4:6-7). Prayer invites God’s peace into our hearts; the peace that surpasses all understanding, and calms our anxious thoughts. However, faith requires action! Like Peter, stepping out of the boat to walk on water, we must trust Jesus even in the storms of life. Peter, despite his fear, took action: *“‘Come, ‘He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus”* (Matt. 14:29-31). Peter’s faith enabled him to step out of the boat, but when he took his eyes off Jesus, fear caused him to sink. In this year 2025, let us step out in faith, trusting that God will uphold us, even when fear tries to pull us down. We shall sail through in the name of Jesus.
Faith over fear does not mean life will be easy, but it means we are not alone. Fear is a natural response to challenges, but when we live by faith, we place our trust in the only God who is bigger than any fear we may face. With God by our side, we can face any challenge; knowing He is our refuge, our strength, and our constant help. He will help you this year in Jesus name.
