by Doreen Kajulu | 16 October 2019 08:46 pm10
One of the most transformative works of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life—especially after surrendering fully to follow Jesus Christ—is delivering them from the fear of life, particularly the fear of the future. Many believers, especially in the early stages of their faith, find themselves overwhelmed by uncertainty: “What will happen tomorrow? Will I have enough? How will I survive next month?”
This anxiety is common to human experience. As we mature, a natural concern for survival, provision, and success emerges. But when this concern becomes consuming fear, it enslaves us. The fear of tomorrow robs us of joy today and places us under mental and spiritual bondage.
However, God never intended His children to live in fear. That’s why the Holy Spirit leads believers through a process of inner renewal—teaching us to trust God completely, not just with eternity but also with our daily lives.
The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:7:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Fear does not originate from God. While caution and planning are part of wisdom, paralyzing anxiety about the future is contrary to the Spirit-led life. Fear diminishes faith and keeps us from fully depending on God as our Provider (Jehovah Jireh – Genesis 22:14).
In Matthew 16:5–12, the disciples forgot to bring bread. When Jesus warned them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees,” they assumed He was speaking about literal bread. They began to worry. But Jesus rebuked them:
“O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up?” (vv. 8–9)
Jesus reminded them of His miraculous provision. If He had fed thousands with a few loaves before, why wouldn’t He provide again? The point wasn’t the bread—it was their lack of trust. Jesus wanted them focused not on scarcity but on the abundance of God’s faithfulness.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addressed these same fears head-on:
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?”
— Matthew 6:25
Jesus used simple illustrations: the birds of the air, the lilies of the field. They do not toil, yet God feeds and clothes them.
“Are you not of more value than they?” (v. 26)
He concluded with this powerful directive:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.”
— Matthew 6:33–34
This is not a call to recklessness but to trust. We are to prioritize God’s kingdom, trusting Him to meet our needs in His timing and in His way.
One reason we fall back into fear is that we forget what God has already done for us. In the Old Testament, God frequently reminded Israel to remember His mighty acts—especially after deliverance from Egypt (Deuteronomy 8:2). Similarly, Jesus reminded the disciples about the loaves and fishes.
Likewise, when we face lack or uncertainty today, we must recall our testimonies: the times God provided, healed, or opened doors in ways we never imagined. That memory is a weapon against fear.
Sometimes, we expect God to hand us a five-year plan the moment we accept Christ. We want full security—how much we’ll earn, where we’ll live, what we’ll have. But often, God doesn’t reveal everything at once. Instead, He leads us one step at a time to build our faith.
He may allow a dry season—not to punish us, but to prepare us, humble us, and deepen our trust in Him. As Paul says:
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 4:19
That promise doesn’t always mean immediate surplus—but it does mean provision in due time.
God isn’t a stepfather or an indifferent ruler. He is Abba, Father (Romans 8:15), a loving and faithful provider. He does not delight in your suffering. He sees, He knows, and He cares.
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
— Hebrews 13:5
Even when we feel forgotten, we are never abandoned.
In Lamentations 3:36, the prophet writes:
“To subvert a man in his cause—The Lord does not approve.”
This means God is not indifferent to injustice, need, or human suffering. He is a God of justice, mercy, and restoration.
So if you find yourself in a difficult place—where resources are low, and tomorrow seems uncertain—don’t lose heart. Remember what God has done. Rehearse His faithfulness. Lean into His Word. And when doubt whispers, hear the voice of Jesus asking:
“Do you still not understand?” — Matthew 16:9, paraphrased
Let faith rise again. Walk forward, not in fear, but in the confidence that your Heavenly Father holds your tomorrow.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
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