Fear Not

I know a lot of people who no longer watch the news. Not just because they are overwhelmed, but they question the sources.  44% of the worldwide news is reportedly inaccurate. The other 56% leaves enough to cause a lot of concern. 

Our fears have a lot to do with perspective.

In Nigeria, a Christian is martyred every two minutes. This year the YWAM Prayer Diary devoted a lot of space asking for prayer in countries that do not have clean water. People walk miles to fill jugs at polluted sources. Children are especially vulnerable, and the death toll is terrible.

As missionaries, the news finds us. 

There is a red-hot situation in Haiti happening right now. The YWAM campus is out of fuel for their generator, which means no electricity. They are low on water. There is rioting and gunfire in the streets as gangs seem to prevail. A YWAM staff couple with a newborn baby has to travel to the American Embassy to obtain citizenship papers in the middle of all this chaos. It's hard to imagine.

How do we deal with burdens that can make us so fearful? 

From experience here are two things I've learned I shouldn't do. I hope they help you too. 

1. Don't keep it to yourself. Share it first with the Lord. How many times has the Lord answered me by placing a scripture on my heart that gives me peace?  Secondly, share it with someone you trust. When we carry one another's burdens, we fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2. Countless times God has also used those around me to give insight, confirmation, or speak an encouraging word when I needed it.  

2. Don't make it overly emotional. I had an intense burden for some troubled individuals. I was fearful for them. Having concern wasn't bad, but how I was dealing with it was. The remedy was to simply "cast all my cares" onto the Lord, and leave it with Him. It was a new measure of faith for me to commit things to Him, and rest in the fact that He was moving even if I didn't see it. 

As missionaries, we have seen God turn countless situations around as we pray. Jesus said that we would have tribulation, but to fear not. He has overcome the world. Interestingly, there are 365 places in the Bible where those words appear. One for every day. We should feel as secure as that newborn baby in Haiti. God is wonderfully able to surround us with peace no matter what we are going through.

The Good News of Jesus can change any circumstance. 


Learning how to deal with fear is part of everyone's discipleship process. Join a discipleship school to discover even more in your relationship with God and activate your faith.New call-to-action

Mary Brock

Written by Mary Brock

Mary Brock, and her husband Mark, joined ywam in 1975. She has worked in training, admissions and led the “Prayer Force” ministry at YWAM Tyler for 7 years. She manages YWAM Tyler's Facebook Prayer Group, and devotes her time to writing, editing, and being a grandmother. She also serves as Living Alternatives staff.

3 min read

Lessons Learned at YWAM Tyler Continue to Shape My Life

As I awoke again to the sound of the sea surging on the rocks, the scream of the gulls, and the beautiful vista fanning...

1 min read

Helping Victims of the Morocco Earthquake

On September 8th, a 6.8 earthquake killed over 2900 people and left many thousands homeless. According to multiple...

2 min read

What I Didn't Expecting During My YWAM DTS

With tears in my eyes, I pulled down the door of the Budget rental truck, said goodbye to my apartment, and heard God...

3 min read

Trusting God To Make A Way

Sometimes the best thing a leader can do is tell you to seek Jesus for yourself. In reality, as Christians, we...
2 min read

Hope for Maui Amid the Fire

As news spread across America about the wildfires in Maui, we have been postured in prayer for our friends and family...

2 min read

Spiritual Leadership for the Next Generation

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the weight of responsibility? Being a leader is far from easy but if God called you to...

2 min read

All or Nothing

Do you remember the day Jesus became real to you?

When I hear the lyrics to "When You Walk Into The Room" play...

3 min read

I Am Not Disqualified.

It is well with my soul . . . Really?

I’ve heard these words many times. Something about them stands out to me, but can...

2 min read

Overcoming Lies through Discipleship

I never thought I’d experience the freedom that I so desperately prayed for when I was younger. Believing every lie the...

2 min read

Fear Doesn't Have To Derail You From Fulfilling Your Purpose

Is God calling you to step out in faith and apply for a Discipleship Training School (DTS), but fear keeps kicking you...

3 min read

Nana Taught Me Almost Everything About Jesus

Is it just me, or does every generation go through a season of life believing they know it all? Even the Apostle Paul...

2 min read

Trusting God for the Impossible

With little to no money towards her outreach, Emma Hamlin experiences a financial miracle. There is freedom that comes...