Fear makes the gap between where I am and trusting God seem an impossible chasm.

I can find security for today even as I face uncertainty about tomorrow. Rather than trying to predict the future, I trace God's faithfulness from my past. He was faithful then. He will be faithful now.

I may not like all the circumstances from my past, but I can see I survived. God was with me. God has used parts of what I walked through for good. God used some of it to protect me. God has certainly used it to teach me lessons and make me more empathetic for others walking through hard things. And God has used some of it to position me for where I needed to be next.

What did they do in the midst of this confusion? They cried out in fear instead of calling out to their Lord in faith. They were terrified. Why? Let's look at that word terrified as it is used in these scriptures. It's tarasso, which means "to set in motion what needs to remain still." Can

I remind fear that I will not entertain his whispered lies. His lies tell me I'll always be alone, and yet Your truth assures me I'm never alone. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever. This isn't dependent on a person. It's a security I have in You.

will feel guarded like the treasured daughter I am. I know You are making all things right and good. I know Your love will reign supreme.

Some church-raised young adults experience similar self-doubt when it comes to making spiritual judgments. Instead of equipping them to make thoughtful, prayerful decisions and then to trust God for the outcome, the church has instilled a debilitating fear of sin or "stepping out of God's will." How can we expect the next generation to move forward with confidence into God's future when they are scared of making a misstep?1

We can press through the pains of the famine and find comfort in knowing that God has a good plan even in our discomfort.

Refuse to wallow in the depressing angst condemnation brings.

On the other hand, when I change to a growth mind-set, I don't chain my identity to my insecurity. Instead, I chain my identity to the Word of God that breathes hope and powerful potential back into any situation.

The voices of condemnation, shame, and rejection can come at you, but they don't have to reside in you. That's your miracle in the mess.

The enemy's power is rendered powerless in the presence of God's promises.