Risen With Christ: Embracing New Life With Jesusਨਮੂਨਾ

The Fear That Holds Us Back: A Reflection on Mark 16:8

“So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” — Mark 16:8

Fear is a powerful force. It can paralyze us, keep us from stepping into the unknown, and silence the very testimony we are called to share. The women who went to Jesus’ tomb that first Easter morning experienced this firsthand. They had come expecting to anoint a lifeless body, but instead, they encountered an empty tomb and a message of resurrection. Their response? Trembling, bewilderment, and fear.

The Grip of Fear

The women had just witnessed something miraculous. An angel had told them that Jesus had risen, yet instead of running with joy to proclaim the news, they fled in fear. How often do we do the same? When faced with something unexpected, even when it is good, our initial reaction can be fear. Change, even when it is from God, can feel overwhelming. The unknown can make us hesitate, question, and sometimes retreat.

Fear can manifest in many ways. It can look like self-doubt, where we wonder if we are truly equipped for what God is calling us to do. It can be the fear of rejection, of stepping out in faith, and not knowing how others will respond. It can be the fear of failure, of trying and falling short. But fear is never from God. As 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us, “for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.”

Overcoming Fear with Faith

The women at the tomb may have been afraid, but their story did not end there. Eventually, they did share the news of the resurrection. Their initial fear gave way to faith, and their testimony changed the world. We, too, can move from fear to faith. When we focus on who God is rather than what scares us, we begin to trust that He is in control.

Overcoming fear does not mean we will never feel afraid, but it does mean we do not let fear have the final word. It means stepping out even when we are uncertain, trusting that God goes before us. It means remembering that Jesus, who conquered death itself, is with us in every moment.

Walking in Courage

To live in the power of the resurrection is to live courageously. It is to recognize that, like the women at the tomb, we may feel fear, but we do not have to be ruled by it. The empty tomb is proof that God’s power is greater than anything we face. The same God who rolled away the stone, who defeated death, is the one who calls us forward.

What fear is holding you back today? Is it fear of the unknown, of failure, of stepping out in faith? Whatever it is, know that God is greater. He is calling you to move forward, to share your story, to trust in His power.

May we, like those women, move beyond fear into faith. May we trust that the good news of the resurrection is not just something to believe, but something to live. And may we step forward with courage, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.

Prayer: Lord, I confess that fear often holds me back. Help me to trust in Your power and to step out in faith, even when I feel uncertain. Thank You for the resurrection, for the reminder that You have conquered all things. May I walk in courage, knowing that You are always with me. Amen.