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I'm afraid
Fear is not a failure of faith; it is what faith walks through. Again and again in Scripture, when God comes close, the first words are: fear not. Jesus met frightened people on the water, behind locked doors and on the shore of a lake — and he did not shame any of them.
Behold I command thee, take courage, end be strong. Fear not and be not dismayed: because the Lord thy God is with thee in all things whatsoever thou shalt go to.
Joshua 1:9 · Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
If you are in crisis, or thinking of harming yourself, please contact emergency services (112 in Europe) or someone you trust now. You are not alone.
Awaiting theological review
What Jesus teaches
- Direct
Summary of Matthew 10:28–31
He told his disciples not to fear those who can kill the body, because they are worth more than many sparrows to their Father. - Direct
Summary of Matthew 28:20
His last words in Matthew's Gospel are a promise: “behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.”
What Christian tradition learns from this
Scripture
What Jesus did
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Peter sinking in the waves
Matthew 14:28–31- What Jesus experienced
- Peter walking on the water towards him — then seeing the wind, losing his nerve and beginning to sink.
- What Jesus did
- He stretched out his hand at once and caught him, and only then asked him about his doubt.
- What Jesus said
“O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?”
Matthew 14:31 · Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
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Behind locked doors
John 20:19–21- What Jesus experienced
- His disciples, hiding behind locked doors for fear after the crucifixion.
- What Jesus did
- He came and stood in the middle of them, wished them peace and showed them his wounds.
- Direct
Fear not, Simon
Luke 5:1–11- What Jesus experienced
- A fisherman overwhelmed by what he had just seen, falling at his knees and asking him to go away.
- What Jesus did
- He did not go away. He told him not to be afraid, and gave him a mission.
- What Jesus said
“Fear not: from henceforth thou shalt catch men.”
Luke 5:10 · Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
What Scripture doesn’t tell us
Fear that never leaves, panic attacks, or fear that stops you living your life deserve care from a doctor or a mental-health professional. If you are afraid because someone is threatening or hurting you, your safety comes first: contact someone you trust, a support service or the emergency services.
Someone who walked this road
- PeterScripture
Peter sank when he looked at the wind instead of at Jesus — and Jesus caught him immediately (Matthew 14:31).
Explore connections → - Saint John Paul IIHistorical context
At the Mass beginning his pontificate in 1978 he told the world: Be not afraid! Open wide the doors for Christ. He had lived through Nazi occupation and Communist rule.
Explore connections →
Pray
Lord Jesus, you caught Peter when he began to sink. You know what I am afraid of. Take my hand. Give me courage for the next step only, and stay with me while I take it. Amen.
Written for Lumen as a simple personal prayer — not a liturgical text.
One thing to do today
Name your fear to God in one sentence. Then take one small step you have been avoiding because of it, and as you do, pray: Lord, stay with me.
- What is the wind you are looking at instead of at Jesus?
- What would you do today if you were a little less afraid?