Is Fear Making Your Decisions?
The Bible tells us repeatedly not to be afraid. In fact, variations of the phrase "do not be afraid" appear 365 times throughout Scripture—one for each day of the year.
This isn’t a coincidence. God, in His kindness, knows how prone we are to fear, and He provides daily reminders to trust Him instead.
As someone who’s naturally risk-averse, I know how hard this can be. And if you know me, you know I share candidly about the anxiety I sometimes feel when it comes to my child—or even myself.
Fear is all too familiar to me, and yet, the Word of God is clear: we are not to live in fear.
It is the most repeated command in the Bible and perhaps the easiest to fail.
This might leave you wondering, "Why?"
Why Shouldn’t We Fear?
Let's be honest—there are so many things to be afraid of.
Financial uncertainty. Health crises. Broken relationships. The future. Raising children in a complicated world.
Fear can feel like the natural response, can't it?
Yet, as believers, we are not called to be fearless because life is easy or always turns out perfectly.
“We are called to let go of fear because our God is great, and He is always with us. In every heartache, every unknown, and every battle—He is constant.”
God's Guidance in Fearful Times
I was recently reading through Exodus, and a verse struck me in a new way. In Exodus 13:17, after God delivers the Israelites from Egypt, He doesn’’t lead them through the shortest route to the Promised Land. Why? Because He knew that when they faced potential battles, they might become afraid and want to return to Egypt.
"When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, 'If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.'" (Exodus 13:17, NIV)
God understood their hearts. He knew how quickly fear could drive them to run—even to the slavery He had just freed them from. And isn’t that us, too? Fear can make us cling to the very things God is calling us to leave behind or to run towards the things that aren’t for us.
But God wants us to walk in faith, trusting that He is leading us even when the road is unfamiliar or difficult.
Decisions Made Out of Fear (and Their Consequences)
When we allow fear to guide our decisions, the outcomes are rarely aligned with God's best for us. Here are a few examples of how fear can shape our choices:
Staying in Unhealthy Relationships
Fear whispers, "You'll be alone forever." Faith says, "God knows my needs and provides abundantly" (Philippians 4:19).
Settling for Less
Fear says, "This is as good as it gets." Faith reminds us, "God is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20).
Avoiding God's Calling
Fear tells us, "You're not qualified." Faith declares, "God equips those He calls" (Hebrews 13:21).
Parenting from Anxiety
Fear makes us hyper-controlling and worried. Faith trusts that God loves our children even more than we do (Isaiah 54:13).
Financial Decisions
Fear says, "I need to cling tightly to what I have." Faith says, "God is my provider" (Matthew 6:26).
But fear is not the voice of God. His voice brings peace, courage, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
God Wants Us to Move from Fear to Faith
God doesn’’t ask us to be fearless in our own strength. Instead, He invites us to trust in His power and presence. He doesn’t promise a pain-free life, but He does promise to walk with us through every valley (Psalm 23:4).
The next time you face a fearful decision, ask yourself:
Is this decision rooted in fear or faith?
Am I trusting God’s promises or relying on my own understanding?
What would I do if I truly believed God was with me?
As the hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" beautifully reminds us:
"Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer."
God is faithful in every detail of your life.
You do not have to be afraid.
Let faith, not fear, guide your steps today and always.
Take a moment to reflect on any areas where fear may be guiding your decisions. Pray and ask God to replace that fear with faith. Share this message with someone who may need encouragement today. And remember—God is with you, and He is greater than any fear you face.
