Strength for Today

Week Six: What Fear Tries to Steal 

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ~ Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

What If?

Two very small words, and yet, given enough room in our minds, they can carry an enormous amount of fear.

What if something goes wrong?
What if the answer isn't what I'm hoping for?
What if I lose this?
What if things don't get better?
What if I make the wrong decision?
What if I can't handle what happens next?

Most of us know what it's like to lie awake at night having conversations with situations that haven't even happened. We imagine outcomes, rehearse responses, prepare for disasters, and solve problems that don't exist yet. Somehow, by the time we're finished, we've emotionally lived through twelve different versions of tomorrow, without ever leaving today.

Fear has a way of doing that. It takes something that might happen tomorrow and makes us carry it as though it is happening right now.

I've been learning something about fear: Fear rarely waits for tomorrow to steal from us. It steals today's peace, joy, gratitude, sleep, relationships, and today's ability to recognize the goodness of God that is sitting right in front of us; all because of something that hasn't happened yet.

Fear wants us to live in a future God hasn't asked us to carry.

Jesus spoke directly about this in Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

I used to read that primarily as a command not to worry, but there's something incredibly tender in it too.

Jesus is essentially reminding us: You only have to live today.

Not next Tuesday.
Not next month.
Not the conversation you're afraid might happen.
Not the diagnosis you haven't received.
Not the decision that hasn't been made.
Not the problem that hasn't arrived.
Today.

That's where God's grace is waiting for you. Maybe that's why Scripture repeatedly gives us promises for the present.

“My grace is sufficient for you.”
“Give us today our daily bread.”
“His mercies are new every morning.”

God gives us what we need when we need it. Fear, however, tries to convince us that we need tomorrow's strength today; and when we search for tomorrow's strength before tomorrow arrives, we often conclude I can't do this.

Maybe you can't today. Maybe God hasn't given you grace for that moment yet. But what if the thing you're afraid of actually happens?

This is where conversations about fear can become too simplistic, because sometimes the things we're afraid of aren't imaginary.

Sometimes the phone does ring.
Sometimes the answer isn't what we wanted.
Sometimes people leave.
Sometimes doors close.
Sometimes plans fall apart.
Sometimes life hurts.

Faith doesn't require us to pretend those possibilities don't exist.

The promise of Scripture isn't: Nothing difficult will ever happen to you. The promise is: Whatever happens, you will not face it without God.

Read Isaiah 41:10 again. God doesn't simply say: Do not fear. He tells us why. “For I am with you.” Then: “I will strengthen you.” “I will help you.” “I will uphold you.”

Look at where the emphasis is. It’s not on our ability, but on His presence.

Maybe courage isn't looking at the future and saying: “I know I can handle whatever happens.” Maybe courage is saying: “I don't know what will happen, but I know I won't face it alone.” That's a completely different kind of confidence.

Fear asks, “What if?”
Faith asks, “Even if?”

Fear says: What if the plan falls apart?
Faith says: Even if it does, God will still be God.

Fear says: What if I don't know what to do?
Faith says: Even if I don't, I can ask God for wisdom.

Fear says: What if tomorrow is difficult?
Faith says: Even if it is, tomorrow will come with new mercy.

Fear says: What if I'm not strong enough?
Faith answers: Then I will lean harder on the One who is.

That's not denial, that's trust.

Fear also steals things much quieter than peace. Sometimes fear steals obedience.

God nudges us toward something and fear says: What if you fail?

Fear steals opportunities - what will people think?

Fear steals relationships - what if I get hurt?

Fear steals dreams - what if I'm not good enough?

Fear steals our willingness to begin - what if it doesn't work?

Sometimes we call it being realistic when, underneath it all, we're simply afraid.

I wonder how many things God has placed on our hearts that we've talked ourselves out of because fear wrote the ending before we ever began. There are times when wisdom tells us to wait, and there are times when God closes a door. There are also times when the only thing standing between us and obedience is: What if?

Maybe someone reading this needs to ask: What has fear been talking me out of?

Friend, you don't have to defeat every fear today. You don't have to wake up tomorrow completely fearless. Courage doesn't mean your hands never shake. Faith doesn't mean your heart never races. Trust doesn't mean you'll never wonder what happens next. Sometimes courage looks remarkably ordinary.

Make the phone call.
Take the step.
Say the prayer.
Have the conversation.
Apply.
Begin.
Try again.
Get out of bed.
Do today's thing.

When fear starts dragging you into tomorrow, gently bring your heart back to today. God is here. Right here. Right now. Today's grace is enough for today's need. Tomorrow? Tomorrow will have grace of its own.

So perhaps instead of asking: “What if?” We begin asking: “What is true right now?”

Right now God is with me.
Right now I am held.
Right now I have enough grace for this moment.
Right now I don't need every answer.
Right now I only need enough faith for the next step.

Perhaps that is why this series is called Strength for Today. Not strength for everything that might happen. Not strength for the next five years. Not strength for every possible outcome.

Just strength for today. When tomorrow becomes today, God will already be there.

This Week's Reflection

Ask yourself honestly: What “what if” has been taking up the most space in my mind lately?

Then ask: Has this actually happened, or am I carrying tomorrow's possibility as today's burden?

And finally: What is fear stealing from me right now?

Peace, sleep, joy, obedience, an opportunity, a relationship, the courage to begin?

Don't condemn yourself for being afraid. Simply bring the fear into the presence of God. Name it and remind your heart: I do not need tomorrow's strength today.

Journal Prompt

Write this sentence at the top of a blank page: “I'm afraid that...”

Finish it honestly. Don't make it sound spiritual. Don't edit yourself. Write the thing you're actually afraid of.

Then underneath it, write: “But what I know about God is...”

List everything you know to be true about Him.

His character.
His promises.
His past faithfulness.

Then finish with: “So today, I will...”

Choose one small act of faith. Not tomorrow's entire plan. Just today's next step.

A Prayer

Heavenly Father,

You know every fear we're carrying today. You know the thoughts we haven't said aloud. You know the scenarios we've played repeatedly in our minds and the possibilities that keep us awake at night.

You know the things we're afraid to lose. The answers we're afraid to receive. The decisions we're afraid to make, and the futures we're desperately trying to control.

Lord, forgive us for the times we've allowed tomorrow's possibilities to steal today's peace. When our minds run ahead, gently bring us back to Your presence. Remind us that You are already standing in every tomorrow we fear.

We don't need strength for next month today. We don't need answers for every possibility. We don't need to know how the entire story unfolds. We need You.

Give us courage for today's step. Wisdom for today's decision. Peace for today's uncertainty. Grace for today's difficulty, and when tomorrow becomes today, help us trust that Your mercy will meet us there too.

For the person reading this whose fear feels especially heavy, draw near. Quiet the racing thoughts. Steady the anxious heart. Remind them that they are held by hands far stronger than their own; and if fear has been keeping any of us from something You've called us to do, give us courage to obey You even while our knees are shaking.

Teach us to replace “What if?” with: “Even if... You will still be with me.”

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

A Blessing for Your Week

May God quiet the fears that have been speaking louder than His promises.
May you refuse to spend today's grace on tomorrow's imagined troubles.
May courage rise, not because you suddenly know what happens next, but because you know Who goes with you.

When fear asks: “What if?”
May faith gently answer: “Even if... God will still be there.”

May you have enough courage for the next step,
Enough peace for this moment,
Enough grace for whatever today holds,
And strength for today.

Tomorrow can wait. God will meet you there.

Until next Tuesday...

With grace, coffee & leggings,
☕ZQueenBee