Why We Don't Have to Be Afraid of Change

I was twenty years old, sitting on the front porch of my parents’ house in Alaska. I took a sip of black coffee and stared out at the spruce trees dotted between the birches. I’d recently been chatting on the phone with a guy I’d never met but had a strong feeling I’d be marrying someday. And, as someone who a year ago had planned to graduate from college and travel as a missionary ESL teacher, I was having doubts.

“But what if I can’t trust him?” I asked God, “I’ve never even met him in person!” “You may not know if you can trust him, but you can trust me, and this is what I have for you.” It’s one of the clearest times in my life I’d ever heard God speak to me. And the heart at the core of His message? Don’t be afraid, just trust me.

One year later, I was married to Ezra Byer. God was right. Through the ups and the downs, Ezra has proven himself trustworthy and a man of integrity.

But the lesson I learned was one of God’s heart. When I’m walking in His way and saying “yes” to His voice, I have nothing to fear. Troubles will come, but He is good, He loves me unconditionally, and He is in control.

My Plan Versus God’s Plan

As people who plan our days, dream big, and set goals for the future, it can cause a great deal of fear in our hearts when God tells us it’s time for a change of plans. To some, being a traveling teacher probably sounds scary. For me, it was a dream that offered a sense of comfort, hope, and joy.

I’ve faced the crossroad of fear and God’s plan versus comfort and my dreams several times. Multiple knee surgeries forced me to give up my dream of playing soccer and earning a nursing degree in college. This is when I made the switch to education, which has been such a huge blessing in my life.

I gave up the dream of being single in my twenties and traveling to marry Ezra, join him in his ministry, and move to a big city instead. I now have a beautiful marriage that’s been blessed with four amazing children.

God asked Ezra and me to leave our inner-city ministry to take time to breathe and heal just over six years ago. What was a huge heartache and time of fear and uncertainty became the blessing of being near friends and family through the years of Covid, Ezra building his business, and the growth of The Monday Christian.

Time and time again, God has proven to me that in the midst of pain, uncertainty, and fear, I truly can choose to trust, choose to praise, and choose to fear not.

It’s Always Been This Way

Although the story is different, God did the same for many people throughout the Christmas story. I think of Mary, pregnant with no husband. But then the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30) And Joseph chose to stay with her and protect her. And her life was forever changed by raising the Savior of the world.

I think of the shepherds who were out in the countryside following their normal routine, only to be interrupted by a terrifying display of heavenly glory. The message they received? Luke 2:10 says,

“But the angel said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:’ ”

Don’t be afraid. God’s message to us all. When we face the divine, how could fear not be involved? And yet, I have this picture of God in my mind that won’t leave. I know someday I’ll see His face, see His eyes. And in that moment, all I see is love. He is a holy God. He is mighty, and all-powerful, and all-seeing. But He is love.

When we choose to follow His way and surrender our lives to His path, we may feel like we’re walking blindfolded. But His steps don’t falter, and His vision is perfectly clear. We don’t need to fear. We only need to say yes.