Encouragement for Today

October 17, 2024 The One Who Helps Us When We’re Afraid LYSA TERKEURST Lee en español

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.’” Matthew 1:20 (NIV)

Doesn’t it feel like sometimes you can’t think straight when you’re afraid?

Imagine being Joseph when he found out Mary was pregnant. He knew the child wasn’t his. His mind must have fired off all kinds of assumptions and dreadful scenarios that could have caused this situation.

His response? He made plans to divorce Mary in secret (Matthew 1:19).

Joseph fell asleep with his decision weighing heavily on him — then God sent an angel to intervene.

“… An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit'” (Matthew 1:20).

God had an assignment for Joseph and Mary: to bring forth the child and name Him Jesus (Matthew 1:21). And the enemy’s tactic to mess up that plan could have included shame, anger, division, confusion …

But the angel of the Lord saw what was really keeping Joseph from staying in alignment with God’s plan: fear.

Make no mistake — the enemy wanted Joseph to be afraid. The enemy wants us to be afraid too. Not the healthy kind of fear that keeps us safe and alert but the horrible kind of fear that whispers worst-case scenarios absent of hope and full of defeat. The kind of fear that keeps us tossing and turning all night because of situations we can’t control, people we can’t change and outcomes that feel uncertain.

Fear says, Entertain my entanglements. Linger in my lies. Drink deeply from my darkness. While we’re distracted with fear, the enemy pickpockets our purpose. Cripples our courage. Dismantles our dreams. And blinds us to the beauty of the Lord’s great plans.

On the surface, God's assignments for you may not seem like Joseph’s at all. But they’re incredibly similar. As a child of God, you, like Mary and Joseph, are to bring forth Jesus. Not in a physical sense — but you are to bring forth and proclaim the name of Jesus in everything you say and do, even when you’re afraid.

Proclaiming the name of Jesus brings power, protection and perspective that crushes fear. It is the name above every other name (Philippians 2:9). Joseph might have gone to bed afraid, but in his dream he heard the name of Jesus for the first time, and he woke up empowered to obey God’s plan.

Wow. The name of Jesus released Joseph from chains of fear. And I believe God wants us to experience the same right now.

• Is a relationship with unresolved conflict troubling you? Call on the name of Jesus.
• Is a financial situation paralyzing you with anxiety? Call on the name of Jesus.
• Is there a frustration you’re still thinking about from earlier today? Call on the name of Jesus.
• Is there a parenting conversation you’re dreading? Call on the name of Jesus.
• Is there a medical diagnosis you didn’t see coming? Call on the name of Jesus.
• Is there a friend who asked you to pray for them, but you have no idea what to say? Call on the name of Jesus.

Calling on Jesus can be our first response instead of what we do when nothing else seems to be working. It may look like surrendering our “why” questions and choosing instead to ask, Will You help me see You, Lord? Even in this? He is the One who can illuminate the dark places for us. He alone brings us peace in the midst of our unanswered questions. He is Immanuel, God with us. To whisper His name is to call on the power found only in His presence.

Oh, friend, some of the most impactful prayers I’ve ever prayed are ones where I simply say the name of Jesus over and over again. Today, call upon His perfect name. You can know with confidence that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1, NIV).

Jesus, I speak Your name over the situation that’s causing me the most angst right now. I can’t navigate it on my own. I can’t bear the weight on my own. I need Your help. I know Your power is made perfect in my weakness, so I am asking You to come near to me. Help me remember that You are with me and You are in control. I release my fears into Your faithful hands. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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Have you ever thought, How can I trust God when I don’t understand what He’s allowing to happen right now? Lysa TerKeurst has been there too. In her new book, I Want to Trust You, but I Don’t, Lysa will help you release the heavy mental and emotional weight of what you don’t understand by learning how God’s justice will always prevail. Get your copy!

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

John 8:12, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” (NIV).

How would calling on the name of Jesus bring light into your life today? What would it look like today to lay down your fear and simply ask Him to help you see Him in the midst of it all?

We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.

© 2024 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.