Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV)

This verse was spoken at a specific time in history but rings just as true for you and me today. I love the NLT translations which says… Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid and do not panic before them (them being their enemies) because the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you; he will not fail you or abandon you.

How many times have we stopped dead in our tracks and not gone for something because we were afraid, or scared or panicked? Or maybe we felt that fear and misinterpreted it as the Holy Spirit telling us not to go for it because we felt fear.

This verse has been foundational in my life in helping me to press into my fears.

First of all, “Be strong and Courageous” that is a command.

Secondly, “ Do not be afraid or terrified” that is an acknowledgement from God that we are going to feel fear and panic along the way.

And lastly, and this is what I love. This is what anchors me… God will be right there with us. God will never abandon us. So, do not be afraid.

As I have read and reread the Christmas story, I believe ‘Do not be afraid’ is at the very heart of it. In the brief passages in the Bible about the birth of Jesus we find gritty accounts where something amazing is happening within the context of profound hardship and challenge. All the key characters face fear and receive the message: ‘Do not to be afraid’. The angel says it to Mary, and to Joseph and to the angles out in the field.

Did you know that the phrase “Do not be afraid” is written hundreds of times in the bible. Some have said that ‘Do not be afraid’ is written 365 times, one for every day of the year. I am not sure on that, perhaps that would be a good project for someone over the Christmas break. Let me know what you find!

Regardless, God knows we need reminding.

As we step into our fear, many ask the question ‘what is the worst thing that could happen if I do X?” I like to rephrase that and ask, “What is the best thing that could happen if I step into this fear, if I step into this thing God has put on my heart?”

Fear is not something we are cured of, we are going to feel it throughout our lives. It is up to us to step into it. To be strong and courageous, to not be afraid and terrified, and to know that God will never, ever abandon us. That is why Jesus came… Emmanuel. God with us. So, do not be afraid.