Facing Your Fears
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
by Hattie Patillo
Scripture: Luke 1: 26-38
Scripture: Luke 1: 26-38
Key Verse: “I am the Lord’s servant, May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Luke 1:38
Fear is an emotion that seems to follow us through every stage of life. Whether it’s the first day of school, an interview for the job you’ve been working toward, or the eerie darkness of the basement in your parents' house, fear is something we all must learn to live with—and, more importantly, to live through.
In Luke 1:26-38, we read about Mary’s encounter with an angel of the Lord. While Gabriel was no boogeyman, Mary had every reason to feel afraid. We don’t hear the inner dialogue that must have been racing through her mind, but we do know that she felt fear. In verses 29 and 30, it says that Mary was “greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.” Yet, instead of running or refusing, Mary faced her fear and embraced the task she was given, responding, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” Those of us familiar with her story know that Mary went on to raise and support Jesus throughout his journey, even when the path was filled with challenges. From her example, we can learn a powerful lesson: fear doesn’t disappear when we avoid it, but neither does our calling.
Think back to the scene I described in the beginning. Imagine if, instead of staying frozen in bed, you had turned on the light to see the truth from the start. The terrifying shadows would have disappeared instantly, much of the fear with it, revealing nothing more than a harmless pile of clothes. When we hesitate to face our fears, we often create false realities that seem more threatening than they really are. But when we step forward, we can see the truth for what it is, allowing courage to overpower fear. Mary’s story reminds us that while fear may be unavoidable, faith and trust can guide us through it—lighting our path forward, no matter how daunting it may seem. Some say that God doesn’t give us more than we can handle. However, I believe that God doesn’t give us more than he can help us through. And while the rest of us don’t get the unique relationship that Mary developed with Jesus, we are provided with an open door to our own personal relationship with him, strengthened through prayer. Prayer should be your steering wheel, not your spare tire. It’s not a life raft or an airbag but like food and water. Something we take part in everyday, giving us the energy and life to go about our day. Does that mean that a healthy relationship full of prayer with God will result in a fearless life? No, in fact, it may mean quite the opposite, but a lesson that we should pull from these verses is that courage is not an absence of fear but the willingness to keep going despite it.
In life, we’re bound to endure hardships, and a life of faith is no exception. But scripture reminds us that when we face life’s shadows and storms, we’re never truly alone. We’re blessed not only with the support of family and friends but with a faith that lights our way. In that light, even the darkest shadows lose their power, revealing the truth behind our fears. So whatever calling you might be hiding from, big or small, it might be time to step out from under the comfort of your blanket, turn on the light, and face it. This time letting the courage outweigh the fear because haven’t you heard? It's all going to turn out just fine…whatever that looks like.
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness,
send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'
Amen.
- Henri J.M. Nouwen
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