Kessiena Redemption Isaac is a Christian blogger, ghostwriter, and editor passionate about spiritual growth, Christian literature, and purposeful living. You can find faith-based content on spiritual growth and personal transformation on her blog, growingupspiritually.com. She also works with Christian authors and brands, helping them create impactful and spiritually sound content. Connect with her on LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3PIWXPQ.
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” —Psalm 56:3
Fear is one of the evil spirits that crept into the space of humanity at her fall. But its existence in the world does not grant it automatic access into your life. That’s why you need courage in the face of fear.
What Is Courage In The Face Of Fear?
As our faces are different, so are the things that awaken fear in us in unexpected moments. But despite the many masks fear can wear, they are all false evidence appearing as real.
So, courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is what steps forward anyway. It shows up precisely when fear stirs, not before it. That is why David did not write, “Because I am never afraid, I put my trust in you.” He wrote, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” He acknowledged the fear, then made a choice.
Why Is Courage In The Face Of Fear a Must?
There are many things in this world that can make us afraid. But we have far more reasons to be courageous.
There should be no mountain too high that should scare you. God is your hill. He has already overcome the world through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hence, you must turn fear away, else fear will turn you away from this mighty God. That is the real danger, that fear is always pointing in a different direction from God.
And you shouldn’t freeze at the sight of any valley of shadows because you can do all things through the strength of the Spirit of Christ in you.
Fear, on its own, can produce nothing good. It is an empty promise. You only have to stand and insist on faith instead.
Knowing God loves you with a love that is deeper than anything you have felt or imagined. And there is no ungodly fear in love. When we love, we run toward our lovers, even when we have made mistakes. Run to Him. Stay close to Him always.
Wherever the soles of your feet touch, God will give to you. As far as you can see, you will conceive and birth. Fear not.
How to Find Courage In The Face Of Fear
We are not permitted to fear, even in the valley of the shadow of death, because life and death are held in two things: our thoughts and our tongues. As a man thinks, so is he. Also, our world was and is still being created by words.
For this reason, one of the worst mistakes you can make is to trust the pictures that fear flashes before you and let your mind experience them or let them find expression on your tongue.
We saw this play out in Job’s life. He allowed fear to take root in his household, entertaining it again and again, even through his prayers over his children. But in the middle of his devastation, he was wise enough to bridle his tongue by refusing to curse God. That restraint was the thread that held his life together.
Therefore, do not believe every spirit. Test whether every thought and intention is of God or an advertisement of Satan. Divide and discern. Not every image your mind produces is a revelation. Some of them are suggestions.
Think about this: if I asked you to describe your imagination of angels, what would you say? Light. Purity. Holiness. Beauty. Heavenly. Yet, in many places in the Bible, when these same beings appeared to men and women, the first thing Satan suggested to them was fear. Run. Be terrified. It took the angels themselves speaking the command: “Do not be afraid.”
If even the appearance of something holy and good could be twisted into fear, then fear is not a reliable narrator. It has never been.
The only fear we are permitted to carry is the fear of God, which is obedience to His will, and His will includes the command not to be afraid.
Be Courageous Even In The Face Of Fear
Make that choice. Do not stop because of fear, and do not wait for it to be over before you move.
Whenever fear rises, let it find you like David: turning your face toward God, opening your mouth in trust, and choosing courage anyway.
Fear not. He is with you.