Courage Rooted in Christ

Overcoming Fear in a Fear-Filled World

Introduction

Fear has become a constant backdrop in our modern lives. Many of us live with a perpetual sense of anxiety—worrying about our work, our relationships, and the future of our families. In our rapidly changing world, Catholics are not immune to this stress. We scroll through news of global crises and cultural upheavals, and we feel it in personal trials: the uncertain job situation, a diagnosis in the family, or even the state of the Church. These fears can creep into our spiritual life, making it hard to trust and hard to find peace. Yet as Christians, we know we are not meant to live enslaved by fear. How can our faith help us overcome fear in a fear-filled world? In this devotional, we’ll explore how God’s word, the wisdom of the Church, and practical faith steps can root our courage in Christ, who is always with us.

Scripture Reflection: “Be Not Afraid”

Scripture speaks directly to our fears with words of encouragement and promise. One powerful example comes from God’s charge to Joshua as he faced a daunting task: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Imagine Joshua, stepping into Moses’ shoes and leading an entire people into unknown territory—he must have felt afraid! But God’s message is clear: our courage is rooted in His presence. We are strong not because we rely on ourselves, but because the Lord goes with us in every trial.

Another cornerstone verse is from St. Paul’s letter to Timothy: “For God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). Here we are reminded that fearfulness does not come from God. The Holy Spirit dwelling in us is a spirit of courage. He empowers us with divine love and a sound mind, so that fear can be overcome by faith. When anxiety rises, we can recall that God’s own Spirit in our hearts is stronger than whatever frightens us. This truth is echoed throughout the Bible in the refrain “Do not be afraid,” spoken by God or his messengers to His people. In fact, Jesus himself often comforted the disciples with these words, knowing how easily fear can take hold. In the Gospels He says, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear,” and “Let not your hearts be troubled”. Such verses remind us that God understands our fears and consistently calls us to trust.

Both Joshua 1:9 and 2 Timothy 1:7 show that courage in Scripture is never about denying fear’s existence, but about confronting it with faith. We stand firm not by our own strength but by remembering “the Lord your God is with you” and by leaning on the Spirit of power and love within us. Every “fear not” in Scripture is coupled with a reason why we need not fear because God is faithful, God is in control, God will never abandon us. Our task is to cling to these promises when fear assaults us. In God’s word, we find light for our darkness and courage for every fear.