Vital Signs: Thursday, April 24, 2025

Where Fear and Faith Meet

What is it that makes you anxious? Nervous? Unsettled? Afraid?

I’m not talking about normal external fears like snakes, spiders, or the fear of flying. I’m wondering what keeps you up at night, those things that ricochet in your mind and refuse to be quieted. Things like losing your job. Not getting married. Or being stuck in a bad marriage. Having your health fail. Draining your savings account just to get by.

We don’t know what exact fears were running through David’s mind, but it’s clear he was troubled about his safety and perhaps his future. Because after asking God to search his heart, David prayed, “know my anxious thoughts” (Ps. 139:23). He wanted to share his worst fears with God—to face them and give them a name. To trust that God was bigger than any fear David could dream up.

Are you willing to pray such a prayer? “Lord, reveal what holds my mind hostage. Show me what I fear the most. Go ahead, help me face what terrifies me.”

What we fear matters. Have you considered that maybe what we fear the most reveals where we trust God the least? Then it hit me, the things that keep me awake at night are the things I'm not trusting God to handle.

Think about it. If you’re gripped with fear about the future of your marriage, it could indicate that you don’t completely trust God with your marriage. If you’re overwhelmed with worry about how you will pay your bills, this may reveal that you're not trusting God to be your provider. If you’re paralyzed with worry about the safety of your children, could it be that you aren’t trusting God to keep them safe?

As God reveals your fears, He will also build your faith. You need Him. You need His presence. You need His power. You need His Spirit guiding you. You need His Word strengthening you.

What you fear the most shows you where you need to grow with God. What do you fear? What are your anxious thoughts? What is God showing you? Where do you need to grow in faith?

Trust Him! “Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬