Faith and Fear - Devotional by Katy Jones

“He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Mark 4:40

Did you ever play any “trust games”? I remember being blindfolded once and having to trust that the one leading me would not allow me to trip on an unseen hazard and break my neck. It was an anxious several minutes as that person “led” me around.

In Hebrews 11:1, the Bible defines faith as this,

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Both things hoped for and things not seen imply future events, things that have not happened yet. Through faith we have assurance and conviction that God knows what the future will bring. We can be sure God is real and that he loves us. We can have confidence that he will keep his promises, since he always has, and will guide us through the obstacles that life holds, even when we cannot see them in our path.

But fear of what might happen in the future can suck the courage — and the faith — right out of us. We’re told over and over in Scripture not to fear. I have heard there are 365 references to not being afraid, one for each day of the year.

We can wholly trust Jesus while he’s leading us through the unseen hazards of life because he already knows where they are. We can be sure that no matter what happens, he has promised salvation to those who put their faith in him.

Lord, help me not to fear the unknown future. Let me remember you already know what lies ahead and will safely lead me through it. Help me banish fear and grow in faith and trust in you. Amen.

By Katy Huth Jones
Used by Permission