I gripped the safety bar like my life depended on it. My knuckles were white, my heart was in my throat, and every inch up that steep roller coaster track felt like an eternity. What was I thinking? I wanted off. Now. But the climb kept going. Higher. Slower. Scarier.
Life feels a lot like that sometimes, doesn’t it? The slow crawl of uncertainty, the sudden drops into the unknown, the twists and turns you never saw coming. And just like on that coaster, fear creeps in, whispering, “What if you can’t handle this?”
Here’s the thing: Fear is real, but so is God. Fear may shake us, but faith secures us.
Fear is Real, But So is God
You’re not weak because you feel afraid. You’re human. And you’re definitely not alone. Even the greatest heroes of faith faced fear. Moses hesitated. Gideon doubted. Peter flat-out denied Jesus. But their fear didn’t stop God from using them.
Esther Lovejoy, author of Big Steps, Little Steps, knows this feeling all too well.
“I have faced some genuinely frightening times in my life,” she admits. “For me, there have been two answers to this question. One is choice and the other is remembering. Isaiah 12:2 has become a go-to verse for me in times of fear. “I will trust and not be afraid.” It’s the reminder that I have a choice to trust or to be afraid. Fear is the enemy of trust and trust is the conqueror of fear.”
Esther gets it. Courage isn’t about never being afraid—it’s about taking the next step, even when fear lingers.
Overcoming Fear with Faith
Let’s be real. Faith isn’t a magic pill that makes fear disappear. It’s the strength to keep going even when your knees are shaking. Here’s how:
1. Speak Truth to Your Fear
Fear thrives on what ifs… It feeds on the unknown, the worst-case scenarios that play on repeat in your mind. But you know what’s stronger than “what if”?
God is.
“Fear not, for I am with you.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every time fear whispers “What if…”, answer back with God is.
God is with you. God is faithful. God is in control.
2. Take the Next Step
When you’re overwhelmed with fear, you don’t need to see the whole staircase—you just need to take the next step. Faith isn’t about knowing the whole plan. It’s about trusting the One who does.
“I have to declare, in spite of my emotions, that I choose trust,” Esther says.
Faith isn’t the absence of fear. It’s trusting God even in the presence of fear.
3. Trust the Ride
On a roller coaster, the scariest moments are usually right before the most exhilarating drops. Life’s the same way. The biggest fears often lead to the most powerful growth. God knows the track, even when you can’t see it.
“What we see as terrifying, God sees as an opportunity for us to lean into Him,” the author says.
You don’t have to enjoy the fear, but you can trust the One who’s guiding the ride.
Fear May Stay, But So Will God
Here’s the truth: Fear may stick around, but God isn’t going anywhere.
You might still feel scared, but you don’t have to be ruled by it.
I didn’t jump off that roller coaster. I held on. I screamed my head off. And when it was over, I laughed. What started in fear ended in exhilaration.
Maybe life’s scaring you right now. Maybe you want to bail. But hold on—God isn’t just your safety bar. He’s the One running the ride.
You don’t have to have it all together. You just have to take the next step. Faith isn’t about fearlessness—it’s about perseverance.
Ready to Trust God in Every Twist and Turn?
Big Steps, Little Steps is here to help you take that next step of faith, even when fear feels overwhelming. Each devotion is a reminder that you don’t have to be fearless—you just have to be faithful.
Grab the first chapter of Big Steps, Little Steps for free and start overcoming fear with faith today.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does trusting God mean I won’t feel afraid?
Nope. Faith doesn’t erase fear—it gives you the strength to move forward in spite of it. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us, “Fear not, for I am with you.” You’re not walking alone. - How do I know if it’s fear or wisdom?
Fear paralyzes. Wisdom guides. Pray for discernment, and trust God to show you the difference. He’s not a God of confusion—He’s a God of clarity and peace. - What if I feel like I’m failing in faith?
You’re not. Faith isn’t about having it all together. It’s about showing up, even when you’re scared. Keep walking. Keep trusting. You’re doing better than you think.
