Faith over Fear

 

It was the night before my first physical therapy appointment after my knee replacement.  I had heard horror stories about what a painful process it could be.  The pain from the surgery seemed to be enough to endure – did we really need to push this so hard?  The pain, the doubt, the unknown – fear exuded from every pore in my body.  There was no sleep the night before that first appointment.  I walked into physical therapy that morning almost ready to cry over the immense amount of fear I had.

We all have our own fears.  We may have everyday fears (do not even ask me how I feel about the dentist).  These may be fears where we know what is ahead of us, but they provide anxious moments.  Yet, we can also fear what is in front of us, of which we are unaware.   The unknown, the uncertainty, the unchartered – all words that find us searching in the dark for understanding or clarity.  It is difficult to navigate when fear consumes.  Fear can drain all the reality from decision making.  Fear can force its way into awareness and show up in ambiguity.  Fear can take assurance and turn it upside down to anxiousness.

When fear blankets over us, running to people or things to calm our fear can be futile.  My friends, there is only One who can truly anchor our fears to where they belong and rise above them with faith, our Jesus!  By going to Jesus with our fears but giving them over to Him and sharing how our fears are consuming us, our Jesus can provide us the peace that we need to move forward.  Jesus’ perfect love, as shared in 1 John, is the only thing that can cast out the fear that takes hold over us.  Only God can provide the strength we need in moments of fear.  Let us read Isaiah 41:10:  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.

He is there for us when we need him most.  Our lives are richer, and less anxious, when we anchor ourselves in the faith of God versus the fear of earth.  We are able to become the rational people God created, knowing that He will deliver us from the fears we face and bring us the peace we can only have through faith in Him.  The next time doubt and fear reign down on us, stop before the spiraling continues.  Pray to the one who is always with us!

The next time fear began to inch in was prior to my follow up appointment with my doctor.  I began to fear that the bandage that covered my incision would reveal stitches and staples that would need to be removed, again, filling me with fear of pain.  Then I remembered God is here for me.  I turned to faith in Him that all would be good.  Guess what?  Neither were there – they glued it together (modern medicine)!  I left a happy camper!  Let us have faith over fear during 2026 – simple faith!

Video that complements this blog post:  Faith over Fear

Dearest Jesus, may we turn to you in faith when fear and uncertainty enter our lives.  Bring us the peace only you can!  Amen