I love this precious promise tucked into this strategic chapter: “This I know, that God is for me” (v. 9). Did you hear that? Let that sink in a minute. Now, with that truth in mind, check out Romans 8:31: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” It’s almost like the apostle Paul (inspired by the Holy Spirit) is saying, “Look, it’s a no-brainer. Weigh what you’re fearful of, in comparison to God’s commitment to you, and ask yourself how the two sides compare!

Are you fearful today? It seems like the phrase “unprecedented event” has been used hundreds of times within the last few weeks. With our newsfeeds filled with death statistics, and significant personal losses, fear is on the rise. No matter your age, ethnicity, gender, or income demographic—nearly every person on the globe right now is being affected by what some are calling the “silent enemy.” Whether it’s young moms fearful for their children’s future or people afraid to leave their homes, we’re living in a world that’s sending out fear-producing shock waves. And right now, many of these fears are legitimate.

When your heart is overwhelmed with fear, when terror breathes down your neck, hearing the counsel to “just trust God” can seem unrealistic and unsympathetic. But intentionally moving your heart to the place of trust is the safest and most reasonable thing you can do.

My fears may be different from yours, but I think in some sense we all grapple with fear—and today perhaps more than at any other time in our lives. So, when I encourage you to “trust God” I truly don’t mean to sound trite or indifferent to a legitimate cause for concern. I know it’s hard right now to grasp a firm hold on trust.

Trusting God isn’t easy. It requires something, and it’s a hard choice. But it’s a choice that’s easier to make with a weighty bit of knowledge. I’ve dealt with fear a bit throughout my life, so, in case someone might need this today, here are some truths I’ve found helpful:

Five Not-So-Easy Ways to Trust God When Paralyzed by Fear

1. Trust in God is developed through knowing His character.

The challenge when scrolling through the daily newsfeed is to view it all from an accurate perspective. The newsfeed—or my circumstances—can lie to me and tell me that God is either not good or not powerful. But 2 Corinthians 10:3–5 challenges us to “take every thought captive” so our thoughts line up in obedience to God’s truth.

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