we’ve been through, fear tries to sideline
us.
Two years ago, my health-conscious,
active mom underwent emergency
triple bypass surgery. After many
complications and a few miracles, she
recovered. But for months afterward, I
flinched every time my phone rang. God
healed my mom and took care of our
family. Was I in trouble with him for not
having enough faith to never feel fear?
When I looked closer at the passages
in Scripture where God says “do not
fear” I found he almost always says it
to someone who is already afraid. It’s a
reassurance, not a rebuke. We’re not to
live in fear, but we’re human and we will
experience it. Olympic athletes have a
strategy we can use too: Feel the fear
and move forward anyway.
mountain every day and have a choice:
hold back or dare to say “yes” to what
God has placed in front of us. Will we
crash? Sometimes. Will we get back up?
With Jesus, always.
Nick Goepper pushes off, gains speed,
flips into the air. His skis form a cross.
“Overwhelming victory is ours through
Christ, who loved us” (Rom. 8:37 NLT.)
Whatever the new year brings, fear can’t
win.
Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s
the presence of determination and hope
despite it.
You, Fear, and the New Year
None of us know what the future
will hold. We all stand at the top of a
Holley Gerth
Holley Gerth is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author,
counselor, life coach and speaker. She loves connecting
with the hearts of women through her popular blog and
books like You’re Already Amazing and Fiercehearted.
She’s also cofounder of (in)courage and a partner with
DaySpring. Holley lives with her husband, Mark, in the
South.
12 • Solutions