“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline.”— 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

DEVOTION

Fear can make you hesitate.

You may know what you need to do, but you’re afraid to take the first step. You may need to speak, make a decision, set a boundary, begin something new, or simply stand firm in what you know is right.

Sometimes fear doesn’t look dramatic.

Sometimes it sounds like:

“What if I fail?”

“What will people think?”

“What if I make the wrong choice?

”But God does not ask you to live controlled by fear.

Courage doesn’t mean you never feel afraid. Courage means you choose to move forward even when fear is present.

Moses felt inadequate. Esther faced a frightening situation. Joshua had to step into an unknown future.

God met each of them where they were.And He can meet you there too.

You don’t need to become fearless before you obey God.

You can take the next right step while still feeling afraid.

When fear tells you to retreat, remember who God has called you to be.

You are not powerless.

You can speak with grace.

You can stand with courage.

You can take the step God is placing before you.

TODAY’S TRUTH

Courage begins when you choose obedience to God over the fear holding you back.

REFLECTION

1. What fear has been keeping you from taking a step forward?
2. What would you do differently if you trusted God more than you feared the outcome?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

You know the fears I carry, even the ones I don’t tell anyone about.

Give me courage to do what is right, even when I feel afraid.

Help me stop allowing fear to make my decisions for me.Give me wisdom to know the right step and courage to take it.

Let my life be guided by faith rather than fear.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.