Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

In the Bible, fear and worry are mentioned hundreds of times because God knows the power they have over our lives. Fear has the power to control our minds, change our plans, and distract us from keeping our eyes and our hearts fixed on Jesus. It can even hold us hostage, if we let it, and keep us from experiencing all that He has in store for our lives. Even believers often surrender to our fear far more often than we surrender to our God. We hold it tighter than we hold the truth of God’s Word and His many commands NOT to be afraid. 

The remedy to fear? More of Jesus! Like Matthew, when he stepped out of the boat to walk on water with Jesus (Matthew 14:28-31), you need to remain focused on Jesus. Your faith grows as you keep your eyes locked on Him through each new storm. As long as He holds your gaze, you will not sink. It’s only when you take your eyes off of Him that the things around you threaten and terrify. Those huge waves of worry, the raging storms of adversity, and the scary dark clouds of uncertainty have no power over you unless you give it to them. 

Fear is a natural part of life, and it serves a purpose. But the purpose is not to keep you from God or keep your life from moving forward. It is to remind you to turn to Him, who is always waiting to help when you ask. Courage is developed as you surrender every scary thing to your faithful God, over and over, and consistently witness His power and strength in your life. He doesn’t want you to let fear control you. So fix your eyes, your heart, and your mind on Jesus! Lay every one of your fears at the foot of the cross—not just once, but every day. He will pick them up and free your heart from the burden. You just need to let go! You are loved! 

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:4