Don’t Be Afraid

Jan 04, 2026

What’s the worst that could happen

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Now, this is what the Lord says, the one who created you, O Jacob, and formed you, O Israel: “Don’t be afraid, for I will protect you. I call you by name, you are mine.

Isaiah 43:1 (NET)

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It’s amazing to me how many times God tells us not to be afraid.

It’s probably the main saying we get from what God tells Joshua.

It’s certainly what most angels tell people when they first talk to them.

Apparently, we need a lot of reminders to not be afraid.

I heard someone recently say that fear exists in the unknown.

His way to squash fear was by listing the worst-case scenarios out in minute detail. Often when we do that, the worst isn’t actually all that bad.

I once had a job I hated with an overly demanding boss.

He was loud, angry, and yelled all the time.

Except, it was still during the pandemic and I was working remotely … about a thousand miles away.

What was the worst thing he could do to me?

I had to list out the details of the worst he could do, it was the only way I could stand to show up to those meetings.

Turns out, the worst he could do was yell loudly and/or fire me.

Which wasn’t so bad. (He eventually fired my whole department in a fit of rage, which was merely “good riddance” for me.)

Anyway…

When it comes to living for Jesus, what’s the worst that could happen?

Passing on early and then spending eternity with Him … *mocking* “oh dear, what ever will I do.”

Like the verse says, God protects us. He calls us by name. We are His children.

That’s as “safe” as we can ever hope to be.

— Ricky Ketchum

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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