Be Not Afraid
“And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.’”
Luke 1:30 ESV
I’ve recently been walking through a really hard and challenging season. If I’m honest—it’s probably not any more significant than what others are facing today. One thing I’m sure of: we’ve all gone through, or are currently going through, difficult times. I’ve committed myself to the belief that good things are worth fighting for—and let me tell you, it has been a fight.
I’ve faced decisions where no matter what choice I made, there would be resistance and pushback. I knew misunderstanding was inevitable. And yet, through it all—we keep moving forward.
Not long ago, I attended an event with pastors and leaders from across Mississippi. We had a great time reconnecting and worshiping together. But honestly? I was discouraged. I needed Jesus to speak to me—directly. Have you ever been there?
During one of the services, the pastor stopped mid-message, looked straight at me, and with such conviction said:
“Be not afraid, for you have found favor in the sight of the Lord.”
That was the moment I needed. Jesus spoke to me through that pastor in a way I’ll never forget.
Looking at the scripture, we see these words originally spoken by the angel Gabriel to Mary, the soon-to-be mother of Jesus. In that moment, Gabriel announced that she would carry the Messiah—the Savior of the world!
Mary, too, would be misunderstood. The favor of the Lord wouldn’t always feel like favor. She would become pregnant while still a virgin, engaged to be married. Can you imagine how difficult those conversations must have been?
Mary was carrying the hope of the world—and still, people looked at her with judgment, not realizing the miracle growing inside her. Her burdens were actually blessings. What others saw as faults were, in reality, signs of God’s favor.
Are you in a difficult season right now? It’s going to be okay. Are you being misunderstood? You’re going to make it through. Do you feel like quitting? Don’t. Hang in there—joy is coming in the morning!
We are blessed to know the end of Mary’s story. She truly had found favor with God and gave birth to the Savior of the world. And because she endured, we now experience the joy of salvation.
Today, I’m praying that same encouragement over you:
Be not afraid! You have found favor in the sight of the Lord.
I bless you in the mighty name of Jesus!
Prayer:
Father, I lift up my friends who are reading this. As they walk through difficult times, remind them that You have not left them and You never will. Their struggles are not unnoticed—they are on Your heart. Just as You spoke to Mary, and as You spoke to me, I believe You are saying to them, “Be not afraid.” We put our trust in You for every season. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray—Amen.
