I listen as the preacher says, “Both faith and fear demand you to believe and trust in something you cannot see.” The powerful words feel as though they could knock me out of the seat, I’m in—they feel that profound and eye-opening.
From a young age, my life has been clouded by anxiety, which in its purest form is really just influential fear. Fear can change a life in drastic ways if you allow it. It can show up like a dark force, ready to lead you into worry and biased distraction instead of things more worthy of your thoughts and energy—His promise. It can convince you that you are alone in your struggles and that you are unworthy of God’s peace.
Living with anxiety, I often find myself wrestling with feelings of unworthiness and a lack of contentment. I have spent countless nights tossing and turning, wondering why my life seems to oscillate between the brilliant light of faith and the heavy shadows of fear. I know that God calls us to trust Him, yet when anxiety tightens its grip, I often feel as though I am fighting a battle with my own heart and mind. How can faith feel both so close at times and also so far out of reach?p
The answer– because we allow it to. We let fear take up the spaces of our minds that faith was always meant to occupy. We let our trust waver.
When fear starts to take hold of my mind and wrap its heavy influence on my heart, I lean on these powerful verses to help ease my mind and refocus my trust.
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“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” - Psalm 23:4
This verse can be a lifeline and anchor of strength during your darkest moments. The valley of anxiety and fear is not just a physical space but an emotional and spiritual struggle, too. This valley is a place of struggle and life’s imperfections. The promise is that even in those darkest valleys, we are not alone. God walks with us, offering comfort and guidance. His presence is a reminder that fear does not have to dictate our lives; instead, we can choose to lean into His embrace. When we remember that He is with us, our fears begin to diminish, replaced by the comfort of His love and His perfect design for what is to come.
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“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” - 2 Timothy 1:7
God does not intend for us to be bound by fear. How beautiful that instead, he empowers us to rise above it. In the face of anxiety, we are reminded that we possess a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. This power enables us to confront our fears head-on, while God’s love provides the assurance that we are never alone in our struggles. It is an invitation to reclaim our minds and hearts from the grip of anxiety and to embrace the strength that comes from faith. It is our responsibility to acknowledge this truth so we can dismantle the fear that seems to have become tattooed on our hearts.
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“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9
The command to be strong and courageous is not a mere suggestion; it is a call to action from our best and most worthy teacher– God. He understands the battles we face, both externally and internally. He encourages us to stand firm in our faith, reminding us that He is always with us, no matter where we find ourselves, which includes the dark and harsh moments this life can bring. When we feel discouraged, fearful, or overwhelmed, we can take comfort in the knowledge that God’s presence is a constant source of strength. We do not have to dismiss our fears and pretend they do not exist. Instead, we are empowered to face them with courage, knowing He is by our side.
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“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” - Psalm 34:4
Scripture serves as such a powerful display of the evidence of God’s power and promise. It highlights the reward of seeking God in our moments of distress. When fear takes control, overpowering all other truth, we must turn to God in prayer– not in desperation, but in bold choice. In doing so, we shift our focus from our problems to His promises– the promises to deliver us from our fears. This promise can only be fulfilled when we actively participate through engaging an open heart to his guidance and peace.
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Each time I read and reflect on these delicate pieces of scripture, I am reminded that while fear may whisper lies in my ear, God’s truth is an undeniable declaration of love, strength, and presence. Fear and anxiety might remain a constant or consistent battle, but with each prayer and each truth of scripture I embrace, I slowly dismantle the walls that fear has built around my heart and mind.
Both faith and fear require belief in the unseen, just like this wise preacher brought to my attention. When fear seeks to consume us, may we remember and acknowledge that faith invites us to trust in something far greater than ourselves.
The choice is ours to make. We can allow fear to dictate our lives, or we can step forward into the future with faith, trusting that God is with us every step of the way.
As we walk through life’s unknowns and the deep valleys, may we remember that we are not defined by our fears but by our faith. God empowers us with the spirit of so many things, fear is not one of them. May we be strong and courageous, seeking Him in our struggles and more than anything, may we be delivered from our fears with both our active pursuit of faith and His active pursuit to protect and guide.
Fear places limits on our lives, but lucky for us, our God has no limitations. In my darkest moments and in my most fearful of times, I hope I remember that, and I hope you will, too.
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