Learning to Live Courageously in a Fear-Filled World**
Fear is one of the most universal human experiences. It shows up in the quiet moments of the night and in the loud headlines of the day. Fear whispers that we are alone, vulnerable, and powerless. Yet when I read Isaiah 43:1–13 and Ephesians 3:14–21, I hear a very different voice: the steady, faithful voice of God saying, “Do not fear, for I am with you.”
These two passages span centuries but converge on one powerful truth: fear loses its power when we remember who God is and who we are to Him.
Fear Meets a Calling: Isaiah 43:1–7
Isaiah speaks to a people living with deep anxiety—exile, loss, uncertainty, and shame. Into that reality, God does not offer denial or easy escape. Instead, He provides presence.
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)
Fear tells us we are forgotten. God says, “I have called you by name.”
Fear tells us we are disposable. God says, “You are mine.”
God does not promise a life without fire or flood. In fact, He names them:
“When you pass through the waters…
when you walk through fire…” (Isaiah 43:2)
The promise is not that we will avoid fear-producing circumstances, but that we will never face them alone. As a follower of Jesus, this matters deeply. Faith does not mean fear never shows up; it means fear no longer has the final word.
Fear Shrinks; Love Expands: Ephesians 3:14–19
Paul’s prayer in Ephesians shifts the focus inward. He prays not for safety, wealth, or certainty, but for strength in the inner being.
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…
that you may have the power… to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” (Ephesians 3:17–18)
Fear narrows our world. It makes our problems feel larger and God feel smaller. Paul prays the opposite: that we would be rooted and grounded in love.
When fear rises, love reminds us:
- We are not abandoned
- We are not weak beyond hope
- We are not defined by what threatens us
Fear says, “What if?”
Love says, “God is already there.”
More Than We Can Ask or Imagine
Perhaps the most quoted—and most misunderstood—verse comes at the end of this passage:
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” (Ephesians 3:20)
This is not a promise that God will remove every fear instantly or give us everything we want. It is a promise that God’s power is already at work within us, even when we feel afraid.
Fear asks, “How will I survive this?”
God responds, “I am already doing more than you can see.”
Living Faithfully with Fear
As a follower of Jesus, dealing with fear means:
- Naming it honestly
Fear loses power when we stop pretending it isn’t there. - Remembering our identity
We are redeemed, named, and claimed by God. - Trusting God’s presence, not our control
Faith is not confidence in outcomes but confidence in God’s nearness. - Letting love shape our response
Perfect love does not deny fear—it drives it out (1 John 4:18). - Praying for inner strength, not just external change
God often changes us before He changes our circumstances.
A Closing Prayer
Gracious God,
When fear rises within me, remind me that I belong to You.
When the waters feel deep and the fire feels close, help me trust Your presence more than my panic.
Root me and ground me in the love of Christ.
Strengthen my inner being so that fear does not define my steps or shape my future.
Do more in me than I can ask or imagine—not so I may feel safe,
but so I may live faithfully, courageously, and in love.
Amen.
Fear may be part of the journey, but it is not the destination.
The final word belongs to the God who says, “I am with you.”
The Curious Pilgrims 