Fear Not

When you are facing fear (fear of the future, fear of not being able to provide, fear of failure), remind yourself that you are not alone. God has promised he is with you, and he will offer the strength you need. He will uphold you and protect you. You can take shelter in his presence.

As a man, you likely take great responsibility for your life. You might feel the weighty burden of having other people depend on you. Remember that even though you might be a leader in your home, you are not the leader in your life. Everything you do is in service to God. He is with you always even when you feel like every problem is yours alone to handle. It’s not your job to white-knuckle your way through life. You aren’t strong because of your own ability. Instead, true strength comes from servant-hearted leadership and leaning on the Lord. He is the one who upholds you.

Calling out to God in times of trouble takes practice. It’s a muscle that you need to use in order for it to grow. The more you lean on him, the more automatic it becomes. As you humbly call upon him for help, he will strengthen you with his righteous right hand. He will give you what you need, and he will encourage you when you need it most. When he tells you not to be dismayed, it’s because he can back up every one of his promises. If he says he will be with you, he will.

Just as a child runs to his daddy when he is fearful, run to God in your fear. Run to him when you face feelings of despair, helplessness, or even cowardice. Even if you feel overcome with shame, God welcomes you to call upon his name. He will wrap his arms around you and remind you of his perfect, powerful, and unwavering presence. He doesn’t expect you to prove yourself to him. Instead, lay your burdens down and let him prove himself to you. He will show up faithfully every time you turn your heart toward him.