What are you afraid of? Do you know anyone that is not afraid of something? I don’t. No matter how brave people may seem on the outside, everyone is afraid of something. We don’t go around parading our fears because we don’t want others to know. But everyone is afraid of something. What are you afraid of? In the Bible, the words ‘fear not’ or ‘do not be afraid’ appear 365 times. That is one ‘do not be afraid’ for every day of the year. Why does God keep speaking those words? Maybe it is because fear is so universal. Maybe it is because Jesus knows that it is fear that keeps us from living by faith. God’s response to our fears is simply to tell us not to be afraid. In modern language what God is saying is, “Chill out, relax, don’t panic, don’t give into your fears. It is going to be all right. I’ve got you. I’m holding you in the palm of My hand. I’m not going to let you go.” Look your fear in the eye. Name it. Call it out loud and say to it, “The Lord is my light and salvation, and I am not afraid of you.” The Lord is the stronghold of my life. I am not afraid of you.” When you look your fear in the eye, when you can name it, when you give it to God, what God does is to replace your fear with His peace. Live unafraid. God is holding you in the palm of His hand.
– Dr. Tim Thompson