Most people have heard the phrase “Fear not, just believe.” But have you also heard the words, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you”? It’s easy to tell someone not to be afraid or to just believe, but it’s much harder to actually live by those words.
What if we stopped pretending that scary things will never happen, and instead made a plan for how to respond when they do? Let’s decide today to put our trust in God when we’re afraid. Let’s cast our cares, anxieties, and fears onto Him because He cares for us.
When you are afraid:
Consider Psalms 56:3-4 which says:
‘When I am afraid, I will put my trust and faith in You. In God, whose word I praise; In God I have put my trust; I shall not fear. What can mere man do to me? ‘
Psalms 56:3-4
I found an article on the subject of fear and it speaks to the following points:
Do you notice the way David wrote and spoke of this fact of fear? He didn’t say “if” but rather he said, “when”. It’s similar to how Jesus didn’t say “If you have troubles” but rather He said, “You will have troubles”. So, it is important for us to grab hold of the solution they provide us.
Jesus tells us to take heart because He has overcome the world! David tells us to put our trust in God whose Word we praise and can put our trust so that we don’t need to fear because of what can mere man do to us. Man may be able to impact our bodies that are temporary but God is able to impact our lives and our eternities.
The alternative to when we are afraid is to trust God
Let’s put our trust in God because in our weakness His strength is revealed and so we do not need to be afraid! Today, let’s take God seriously because we know that to fear God is to have reverence for him, to believe that God is capable of any action he desires to do and that he is holy to the extreme, his justice unassailable. Finally, let’s make sure that we don’t give way to fear!
‘ Servants, be submissive to your masters with all [proper] respect, not only to those who are good and kind, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if a person endures the sorrow of suffering unjustly because of an awareness of [the will of] God. After all, what kind of credit is there if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you endure it patiently? But if when you do what is right and patiently bear [undeserved] suffering, this finds favor with God. ‘
1 Peter 2:18-20
When we are afraid we have three options for how to respond:
- God is where you can put your hope—not in ourselves or others, but in God and His Word.
- God’s way is where you can do what is right—not the world’s way, especially those cultural practices that go against God’s Word.
- Not giving way to fear is something you can choose. We are to face our troubles without panic and hysteria, trusting in God—in whom we have put our hope and by whose Word we are taught to do what is right.
Today’s Verse of the Day:
When I am afraid, I will put my trust and faith in You.
Psalms 56:3 AMP
Let’s be the dads who realize in this world we will have troubles and experience being afraid. Today let’s make the decision to put our trust and faith in God from whom our hope comes. When we are afraid, let’s remember God is greater than our problem and so we can put our trust in Him and move forward into our faith by trusting His reliable Word, approaching life in alignment with His ways, and doing what is right in His sight. Remember, being a dad is not always easy, and fear is a natural part of life. However, with God’s help and the support of others, you can overcome fear and be the husband and father your family needs you to be.
So let’s consider how we can choose to live our lives based on today’s verse of the day so that we can be the dads our wives, kids, and world need us to be!
Ways to apply today’s verse of the day when we are afraid:
Remember that fear is a natural emotion:
It’s okay to feel afraid. As a dad, acknowledge your fear and then move forward with the help of God.
Trust in God when you are afraid:
Believe that God is in control and that he has a plan for your life and your family. Trust that he will protect and guide you through difficult situations.
Meditate on God’s word:
Take time to read and reflect on the Bible. Allow God’s truth to fill your mind and bring you peace.
Pray:
Ask God to help you overcome your fear and to give you the strength to be the dad your family needs you to be.
Seek wise counsel:
Talk to a trusted friend, pastor, or counselor who can provide guidance and support during challenging times.
Focus on gratitude:
When you feel afraid, take a moment to focus on what you are grateful for. Expressing gratitude can shift your mindset and help you feel more positive.
Be present:
Instead of worrying about the future or dwelling on the past, focus on being fully present at the moment. Take things one step at a time.
Take action:
Identify the things you can control and take action. This can help you feel more empowered and less afraid.
Practice self-care:
Take care of your physical, emotional, and spiritual health. This can help you feel more resilient and better equipped to handle challenges.
Encourage others:
Be an encouragement to those around you. Your positive attitude and actions can inspire others to overcome their own fears and challenges.
