Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11 (NKJV)

 

The telling and retelling of the Christmas story―of Mary and Joseph, of angels and shepherds, of Zachariah and Elizabeth, of Herod and the wise men―is to reveal one crucial truth, that is, the perfect heavenly gift of God's love in Christ who came to cast out all our fears.

Your fear can keep you from God, but your fear cannot keep God from you.

The coming of Jesus as a vulnerable and helpless baby reveals a God who chooses to identify with us right at the beginning of our life, from the moment of our birth. This gives reason for much rejoicing. No matter how you feel or what you are going through, always believe that God is with you and that you don't have to face each day alone.

While you can't figure out where your life is going, it is important to know that God is ahead of you. Instead of letting your fears or negative experiences frustrate your faith in God, learn to stand strong and walk in the revelation of the gospel.

What the Angel Gabriel told the shepherds, God is saying the same thing to us, "Do not be afraid". Perhaps you are experiencing your hardest season right now—and while God did not cause it, He is using it to develop you so that you will learn to believe that He will deliver you.

God can turn your fear to favour.

Your fear brings you to the end of yourself, where you can do nothing after doing everything possible to save yourself. Faith is fully depending on God for the answers and strength you need to get through those tough times. And like all those significant characters in the Christmas story, when you make God your confidence, you will experience His favour despite impossible circumstances.