March 27: Do Not Be Afraid

What if you lose the job? What if the marriage doesn’t make it? What if you can’t stay sober?

God speaks to His people through Isaiah. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness.

Five promises in one verse. I am with you. I am your God. I will strengthen. I will help. I will uphold.

Fear is behind a lot of drinking. Fear of people. Fear of failure. Fear of not being enough. Fear of being found out. A drink quiets fear for a while. That’s one reason it’s so hard to put down. And once the drinking ends, the fears that alcohol was numbing often come back strong.

That can be scary in itself. You might wonder if you’ll ever feel calm again.

Step Three offers a different response to fear. Instead of numbing it, you hand it over. You decide to trust God’s care with the things that frighten you. Not because they’re not real, but because He’s bigger than they are.

It helps to name your fears specifically. Vague fear is hard to hand over. Specific fear is easier. “I’m afraid I’ll be fired.” “I’m afraid my wife will leave.” “I’m afraid I’ll drink at my sister’s wedding.” Write them down. Then, one at a time, give each one to God. Read Isaiah 41:10 over the list.

Then take the next right action on each, if there is one. Faith and action go together. If you’re afraid of the wedding, make a plan: bring a sober friend, leave early, have your sponsor on call. Trusting God doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means doing your part and leaving the outcome to Him.

Fear may not vanish overnight. But it loses its grip when you stop facing it alone.

One thing today

Write down your three biggest fears right now. Next to each, write one action you can take. Then pray Isaiah 41:10 over the whole list.

A prayer

God, I’m afraid. You know exactly of what. You said You’re with me, You’ll strengthen me, help me and hold me up. I’m trusting You with my fears today.

Trading fear for trust is part of Step Three.

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