Fear has a way of showing up in moments I don’t expect. About twelve years ago, I walked through one of the most frightening experiences of my life. We were in Florida when a strange pain started late one evening. It felt like severe heartburn at first, something uncomfortable but manageable. I figured it would fade. Instead, it followed me onto the plane the next morning and turned the entire flight home into a miserable blur of discomfort and escalating pain.

For the next week, I tried every over-the-counter remedy I could find. Antacids, medications, dietary changes—anything that might bring relief. But nothing helped. The pain intensified day by day. By Monday night, it reached a level I simply could not ignore. I told my wife we needed to go to the emergency room immediately. I had never experienced pain like that, and fear wrapped itself tightly around my chest as we drove.

The diagnosis was pericarditis. Inflammation around the heart. I spent three days in the hospital, exhausted, confused, and honestly afraid. The pain was excruciating. For a while, even the doctors weren’t entirely sure what was going on. Those days were filled with tests, uncertainty, and long hours of staring at the ceiling wondering what God was doing and what would happen next.

Looking back, the fear of what might be was just as overwhelming as the pain itself. That’s how fear works. Sometimes living in fear of what might happen is more draining than facing the thing itself. And it makes me ask myself: what am I avoiding right now because I’m afraid? What am I trying to manage on my own instead of bringing straight to God?

Psalm 34:7 reminds me, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.” Fearing the Lord doesn’t mean living terrified. It means giving Him weight in my heart above everything else. When fear becomes my focus, it consumes my thoughts. But when I shift my focus to God, everything changes.

Over the years, I’ve learned to respond to fear by turning back to God in three intentional ways:

1. I cry out to Him honestly

I tell God exactly what I’m afraid of. I name it. I admit how much it unsettles and weakens me. And I ask Him to show me whether this fear is a real warning or simply unnecessary anxiety weighing me down.

2. I open His Word

I look for truth that grounds me. I write down what Scripture says and allow His promises to steady my next thoughts and actions. Fear loses its power when truth becomes my anchor.

3. I walk forward with assurance

When I choose to fear (honor) the Lord above all else, I can trust that His angels surround me. Even before I take the next step, I know He is already there. Psalm 34:7 tells me I am not alone—God is encamping around me, and He will deliver me.

I love this promise. It comforts me. It strengthens me. And it challenges me to live like it’s true, not just believe it in theory. What fear can I face today? What step have I been avoiding? What hard thing have I been circling around instead of confronting?

If I could sit with you today, I would put a hand on your shoulder and remind you: God is with you. He is holding you. And when you know He is with you and His angels surround you, you can face your fears—even the unexpected ones—with confidence.

Prayer

Dear Lord, if this feeling of fear is a true warning from You, help me recognize it. But if this fear is simply a distraction keeping me from Your peace, give me courage. Help me walk assured in Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Attribution: Inspired by the chapter “I’m Really Afraid” from Embraced by Lysa TerKeurst.