Afraid Yet Not Afraid
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise; in God, I trust. I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Psalm 56: 3 – 4.
Fear is an emotion that I see a lot of these days. Fear of getting sick. Fear of job security. Fear of inflation, political agendas, and even physical safety. Some are facing some very real trials and some are afraid of what the unknown will bring. I don’t think we can command one another to not feel afraid, but we can encourage one another what to do when fear comes knocking.
This Psalm was written by David in the Old Testament. David, who had killed both the lion and the bear with his bare hands as a young shepherd boy and killed the giant Goliath with just a slingshot and a stone. David, who had experienced great success in battle and was called a man after God’s own heart. Yet even he experienced fear. Notice he started this verse by saying, “When I am afraid.”
David continued this verse with the secret for feeling afraid yet not afraid. “I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise; in God, I trust.” David put his confidence in the character and promises of God. Fear doesn’t mean we don’t have faith. Fear and faith can coexist. Even though we might feel afraid, we can put David’s instruction into practice. When our pulse first quickens and our stomach begins to churn, we must put our trust in God. This is not wishful thinking or reckless, blind hope. Our faith must be grounded in the truth of God’s word.
Take in the following promises from God that will encourage you when you experience fear. Post them around your home or in your car as reminders. Let them bolster your faith and cement your trust in our God who is faithful and good. Add to this list and be encouraged. Share them with others so they too might know what it is to be afraid yet not afraid.
- Psalm 9: 10–”And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.”
- Psalm 33: 20 – 21–”Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in Him, because we trust in His holy name.”
- Psalm 37: 5–”Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act.”
- Isaiah 12: 2–”Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; the Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.”
- Isaiah 26: 3–”You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
