What if I’m afraid?

“But now this is what the LORD says – …Fear not, for I have redeemed you;”. Isaiah 43:1

God says, “Do not fear…”
Oh, but what if I am afraid?

Have you ever read a scripture verse like this and thought… “That’s easy for You to say, You’re God.”

Perhaps, you’re not sure that we’re allowed to think something like that. Well, I do sometimes think like that. At times, that’s been my prayer – out loud.

Or what if I don’t feel redeemed? What if I’m not sure of what ‘being redeemed’ means for my life? How does that help me be not afraid?

Well, I think that is the importance of honesty. Telling God sometimes out loud, and even sometimes in a frustrated voice, is at least a step out of hiding.

Because, you see, what Satan (the enemy of your soul) wants is for you to hide from God. He wants you to be confused by these words or doubt these words and walk away. He wants you to go through your whole life believing these words of redemption and freedom from fear aren’t for you.

Why? Because if he can keep you from stepping toward God or prevent you from talking with God, He might get to claim your soul for eternity.

I don’t want that for you, and you don’t want eternal separation from God for eternity either. So, even if you are afraid, take that next step of telling God that you are – even if He doesn’t want you to be.

Then sit tight. And listen.
Don’t run back and hide.
Listen.
This is the rest of what God, your Creator, wants you to know here.

“I have summoned you by name;
you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

His is saying to you here that He’s done all the work to know you, to draw you close, and to pay the penalty of your bondage. God planned always to carve out a way for you to come to Him.

Look, God knows you by name. He is the one calling you to Himself. And He’s telling you not to be afraid because you are His creation, and He wants you redeemed and whole, and living without fear and anxiety ruling your existence.

What do you say?

Are you afraid?

Okay. So was I. Yet, when I realized God was calling my name, and that He had done all the hard work to make a place for me, and that He wanted me; I ran to say YES!

I didn’t fully know what I was saying yes to; but if following Jesus meant that I didn’t have to live afraid, I wanted in. If He already knows my name and paid my way, okay yes, LORD, I’m following You. And guess what?

Sometimes I’m still afraid. But I can tell God anything. I can be honest, and He reminds me that He will always be with me. It’s then I tell myself, “Do it scared.”

When I jump in and follow, I recognize God’s presence has gone before me, and His protection hems me in from behind. Fear loses its power every time. I remember that I am free.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

And then I read on … His words that tell me about His desire to be with me anywhere. No matter the challenge or difficulty, His withness is mine. He is with me in my life. Always.