Originally published by The Round Farmhouse Ministries on July 30, 2026.
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4 ESV
Earlier this year I felt unsettled. I couldn’t put my finger on why. . . until I realized I was afraid. Of everything. Of something wrong with the house, how would I find time to take care of it? Of being sick, because who would conduct my concerts? Of going to work, because what parent was going to criticize my work and confiscate my time?
I felt fear because of doubt – doubt about myself and my abilities, doubt about the people I work with, doubt about interactions throughout my day.
I felt fear because I felt alone – alone in struggles, alone in providing for myself. . . even alone in being fearful.
In the Jesus’ birth story, we see two instances of fear.
Joseph heard about Mary’s pregnancy and feared marrying her. What would life be like with the reputation they now had? “But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear taking Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit’” (Matthew 1:20 ESV).
Step 1: Joseph considered. He didn’t accept anything at face value. He thought about their situation and tried to reach a reasonable conclusion.
Step 2: Don’t fear. A step forward will be scary, but if it’s from God there’s no need to be afraid.
Mary was visited by an angel and received life-altering news. “And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God’” (Luke 1:30 ESV).
Step 1: Don’t be afraid. The angel knew she was afraid and wanted her to move past that fear to hear what he had to say.
Step 2: Mary has favor with God. Now, the angel already told her this: “And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!’” (Luke 1:28 ESV). But Mary was afraid, as I’m sure I would be if an angel appeared in the room and started talking to me. So, Gabriel told her not to be afraid and then repeated the truth of God’s favor upon her.
So, how do we handle fear?
We stay grounded. In the reality of God’s truth, not my truth. Because my truth is skewed by fear, but God’s truth is constant. “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries” (Psalm 112:7-8 ESV).
We remember. We replay God’s faithfulness and promise. “Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any” (Isaiah 44:8 ESV).
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