Faith Over Feelingsნიმუში

Mary was likely just a teenager—fourteen or fifteen years old—when God interrupted her ordinary life with an extraordinary assignment. An angel showed up and told her she was going to carry the Son of God. We have heard about this moment so often that we forget how wild it must have been. A young girl. An unexpected message. A life-altering calling. And a million reasons to be afraid!

We are told that Mary was “greatly troubled,” and honestly, I think that is putting it lightly. Her entire world was about to flip upside down! Her relationships, her reputation, her future—everything was at risk. Of course, she was scared. That is why the angel started with, “Do not be afraid.” It was not a casual suggestion—it was a needed reminder. Because fear was real at that moment. But so was God!

I do not think Mary’s fear disappeared in an instant. I think she chose to believe in God even in the middle of it. She did not wait until she felt totally confident or completely comfortable. She just responded with, “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word.” That is surrender! That is trust! And that is the kind of faith God invites us into.

Here is the thing: fear is sneaky. It does not always show up as panic or anxiety. Sometimes it looks like hesitation, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or holding back from what we know God is asking us to do. Sometimes it is that quiet voice that says, “What if you fail?” or “What will people think?” And if we are not careful, fear starts driving our decisions instead of faith.

But Scripture is clear—God never intended for fear to lead us. In fact, “Do not fear” is the most repeated command in the entire Bible! It shows up 365 times—one for every single day of the year. That is not a coincidence! That is a Father who knows how easily His daughters get overwhelmed. It is His way of saying, “I see you. I know you are scared. But I am here. And I’ve got you.”

If God has placed something on your heart—a calling, a conversation, a step of obedience—do not let fear silence His voice. Do not let what is unknown stop you from saying yes! Like Mary, you may not feel completely ready. But you can be fully surrendered. And that is what matters most.

Reflection Question: What fear might be keeping you from fully trusting God right now—and what would it look like to respond like Mary, with surrender instead of hesitation?