As is sometimes the case, a book got me thinking.

In one book I read this past week, a character struggled with hope and fear. She’d gone through many things a child growing up shouldn’t. Feeling like she couldn’t hope for much, she feared putting trust in people who would only let her down or want something from her. Coming to terms with that in her story meant someone showing her along the way that they could be trusted and that they didn’t need her for anything, but wanted her – and not just her but her happiness, too. She didn’t have to do it all alone.

Ever since reading that, it’s been circulating in my head. I deal with a similar struggle and not having gone through what she had in that story.

I have a lot of hope in things of the future, a lot of dreams that I hope come true. While I leave those things in God’s hands, I’m also fearful of taking steps to get to those things. Like am I helping God? Can God use this? How do I expect anything to change if I don’t move?

As I’ve said before, I had a fear of getting a promotion because of the weight of the job and responsibility that came with it. I almost didn’t apply at all. I was talked into it and now I don’t regret doing something I feared.

There are a few somewhat big life things I want to happen someday, but I’m stuck in a rut of fear. This line in the book is what I go back to…

Hope and fear like to think they can occupy the same space, but there is only room for one. It’s up to you to decide.

The One with the Kiss Cam by Cindy Steel

While this book isn’t a Christian fiction book, this is true and applicable for our Christian walk as well. Fear isn’t of the Spirit, but so many times I find myself there anyway. No matter where we are, there’s hope in Christ and His victory for us.

As I’ve been reading Revelation, this spiritual battle that’s raging that we don’t physically see is going on and it’s scary to think about. Where is our hope found in that book of the Bible? It’s always in Jesus.

I hope this year God will do a work in me to not be so afraid.

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:6-7

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.

Psalm 56:3