Over the past year I have entered the new phase of my life of being a parent. It’s an exciting and amazing thing to be, and I have always wanted to be a dad. Sweet little Violet is such a joy, and this past weekend we got to play around in the snow and watch her experience a brand-new thing. Seeing her eyes filled with so much wonder and excitement, taking in all kinds of information for the first time in this exciting world.
I often forget to look at the world like this. Either stress of the busyness of life can get me distracted from the true joy around me.
Then there is fear, now fear is something that can often steal a lot from me, and I let it do that all too often, but the truth is, fear is a liar.
God’s words to Joshua in the old testament resonate a lot me the Joshua sitting here in 2025.
“Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9 CSB
I used to read the Bible through a lens of a God who was very harsh, but really, over and over in Scripture, we find a God who loves His creation and desperately wants a relationship with us. In that way of thinking, reading this verse is not a God who is shaming Joshua, but in a loving way, reminding Joshua that He has a plan in the midst of what Joshua is facing.
Fear is a liar because God is with us in all seasons.
Good, bad, whatever season, we have a God who is with us. That doesn’t always mean that God will make everything all better, but what it does mean is that we can have peace in the face of that struggle.
When we had Violet, she was born with jaundice, which essentially meant that we have to go through a process until she was fully healthy. She had to be under a light and have a blindfold mask on, and we weren’t able to hold her. This was a fearful moment, because all we wanted to do was hold her and comfort her, but couldn’t. I remember falling asleep next to the box where the light was shining just holding my hand on her, and I was afraid.
Now, the amazing medical staff was excellent, but there was this fear and feeling of helplessness that was present. The blood tests and UV therapy was a scary feeling from a new parent, and yet, in the midst of it all, God was with us.
We need to replace fear with truth.
I love this moment in the book of Joshua, because it is preceded by a command of listening to truth. “This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.” – Joshua 1:8 CSB
When we replace fear with truth, we remind ourselves that we have been created by a good God for a good purpose, despite our circumstances. I look back at those first couple of days, and I remember praying a lot, trusting God in the face of my own fear. I now look at my growing daughter and how she zooms around our house, thankful that I didn’t let fear paralyze me.
We can’t let our fears hold us back, because fear is a liar.
I’m not sure what you might be walking through or facing, but I do know this, God made you a lot more courageous than you think you are. Trust Him, He’s with you in every season and His truth reminds us of what you are truly capable of. You’ve got this and God’s got you, don’t listen to fear, listen to the one who is with you no matter what.
-Joshua
About the Author: Joshua Thomas is a husband, father, and pastor doing what he can to love others the way Jesus did. You can find him reading a good book, sipping warm tea, taking pictures, or dreaming. He may not have it all figured out, but the journey is the best part. You can find him on the only social media he uses, Bluesky and Instagram
Joshua Writes 