On Being Afraid

February 1, 2026

Our Journey (DMM)

What do I do with my fear?

Not mild anxiety.  Fear and terror.

All around me the things I relied on, the safe quiet spaces and routines of my former life, they are crumbling around me.

I try to pray, but my heart is pounding, and I am too wound up to be able to still myself in God’s presence, which is how I pray, how I settle to my daily routine of time with my beloved God.

But today, I have no capacity for quiet settling. I am afraid. I feel like crying, like a child, crying out in fear, whimpering, shrinking, hiding into myself. Where can I go, what can I do?

I take deep breaths. Images of dreadful things I have seen flash into my mind.  I shake my head slightly; I don’t want to see them but, yet I can’t unsee them.

What will steady me, how can I get through this time, where can I go, what can I do?

A voice whispers inside me, “Be brave.”  I am startled.  What have I to do with being brave?  

I am a poor small, frightened thing.

“Do not be afraid, for I have rescued you. I have called you by your name, you are mine.”

“When you walk through the waters I’ll be with you, you will never sink beneath the waves.  Do not be afraid.”

“When the fire is burning all around you, you will never be consumed by the flames.”

“When evildoers assail you to eat up your flesh, it is they who will stumble and fall.”

Breathe deep, breathe deep.

I lift my eyes to the mountains, where will help come from?

God is your strength.

God is your light.

Your feet are firmly planted on the ground.

Your friends and allies gather round silently; they know and understand.  Together you stand, arm in arm, taking and giving each other strength.

The time for tears is past.  Fear fuels the fire.

Now is the time, brick by brick, stone by stone, with sticks and mud, mortar and moss, to build the kindom.  

Song for Inspiration: Lead With Love, Melanie DeMore, SATB Choir, a cappella, Hal Leonard Choral (2021).  (no video)

Video: Melanie DeMore Leading

Refrain:            

You gotta put one foot in front of the other

And lead with love.

Put one foot in front of the other

And lead with love.

Don’t give up hope

You’re not alone

Don’t you give up

Keep movin’ on  R

Lift up your eyes

Don’t you despair

Look up ahead

The path is there  R

I know you’re scared

And I’m scared too

But here I am

Right next to you  R

Let’s make this our anthem — keep singing and living.

~Jess Craven (Chop Wood, Carry Water)