Hope to Be Fearlessනියැදිය

Fear wasn’t part of the world God originally made.

Before sin entered the garden, there was no such thing as fear. Adam and Eve were in paradise, provided everything they could ever need and want — until the serpent whispered lies into Eve’s ear.

With one question, the serpent planted doubt: “Did God really say…?”

Take a moment and reflect on a time when you felt afraid, and dig deep into what sparked that fear. Was it doubt? Fear often roots itself in doubt, and doubt shakes the foundation of trust — especially trust in the goodness and provision already present in our lives. This is why many have a fear of missing out on something better, which is something that ultimately contributed to Eve disobeying God when she ate of the forbidden tree.

The serpent used lies to convince Eve that God’s command was holding her back from something good and desirable. While she resisted at first, doubt ultimately won: What if God wasn’t being truthful? What if there was more to gain by disobeying?

Eve looked at the fruit, and for the first time, she felt fear. She was afraid of missing out on knowledge, on power, on being “like God.” This fear made her question the perfect provision she already had in the garden.

When Eve took the fruit and ate it, fear quickly multiplied. The immediate consequence was shame and the desire to hide from God.

Fear, born from doubt, had entered the world.

Like Eve, we all face moments when doubt creeps in, when the fear of not being good enough, of missing out, or of not being given what we deserve drives us to make decisions that, like Eve learned, lead to more fear and shame.

So, when you feel fear rising, take a moment to ask: What doubt is fueling this fear? Is it a doubt about God’s love? About His plan? About His care for you? Remember that fear does not have control over you. In moments of uncertainty, trust in the Lord’s plan for you is always an option. By choosing to trust the God who created a perfect world without fear, you can face those moments of uncertainty with courage, knowing that His provision is enough.

God, I ask that you forgive me for doubts that I have had. I pray that you help me overcome my fears and replace them with faith. Strengthen my heart when uncertainty tries to take hold, and remind me daily of your unchanging love and faithfulness. Teach me to trust in your perfect plan, even when I cannot see the way ahead. Help me to remember that your provision is always enough, and that in your presence, fear has no place. Thank you, Lord, for your endless mercy. Amen.