[Devotional #18] Faith Over Fear: Letting God Transform What Scares Us Most
Sailing on the Disney Wish this past week was such a beautiful experience for our family. Cruising is one of the only vacations Max truly enjoys, and with my husband, Mike, working at Disney, we’re so thankful we get to go often.
I would be lying if I said I didn’t have moments of sadness mixed in with all the joy. If you’re raising an autistic child or one with medical complexities, you know how two emotions that feel so different can exist at the same time. The boys were in their element. Maximus met his favorite princess, Tiana, and told her all about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, jumping like a frog as he explained it. He danced with Belle, squawked with Moana, became a pirate with Mr. Smee, and danced with Mickey Mouse.
Then came a moment that broke something in me. Max climbed out of his stroller, one he’s clearly outgrown, and crawled up the steps to get to Mr. Smee and Captain Hook. I realized it was time. His medical condition has progressed to the point where he’ll need a wheelchair, at least part-time. I’ve known it for a while, but I kept pushing it off because he could still use his stroller. But at four years old, his legs are just too long now.
There were a lot of emotions in that moment. But through prayer, quiet, and leaning on God, I found myself at peace faster than I expected. Maybe because I’ve known this day was coming. Or maybe because God whispered what I needed to hear: You’re not a bad mom for getting him a wheelchair. You’d be a bad mom if you didn’t.
Am I scared? Absolutely. But fear can’t be the thing that keeps me from doing what’s right for my child. That’s what “faith over fear” really means to me. When we give our fear to God, He turns it into strength, wisdom, and peace for the road ahead.
Stay Mighty,
Devotional of the Week
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear and faith often walk hand in hand for us as moms. When we’re faced with decisions that change our child’s life — new diagnoses, new therapies, new medical equipment — it’s normal to feel the weight of it all. We want to protect them, fix what hurts, and keep life as “normal” as possible. But God never called us to carry the burden of control; He called us to carry His peace.
Isaiah 41:10 isn’t a promise that life will be easy. It’s a promise that we will never have to face our hardest moments alone. God doesn’t minimize our pain; He meets us right inside of it. When we feel fear rising, His strength steadies us. When we can’t see how it’ll all work out, His hand holds us firm.
Choosing faith over fear doesn’t mean we stop feeling afraid. It means we trust that God is still good in the fear. It means stepping forward anyway, believing that His strength will meet us the moment we let go. When we hand Him what we can’t carry, peace begins to take root right where fear once lived.
Reflection:
When we stop trying to outrun fear and instead surrender it to God, we begin to experience His peace in the places we least expect. Faith doesn’t erase our uncertainty; it reminds us that even in the unknown, God is already working everything together for good.
Journal Prompt
What fear have you been holding onto about your child’s journey? What would it look like to hand that fear to God this week and trust Him to carry what you cannot?
A Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, You see my heart. The fears I try to hide and the weight I carry for my child. Thank You for reminding me that I was never meant to carry it alone. When fear begins to rise, remind me of Your presence and Your strength that never fails.
When I feel fear rising, help me to pause and breathe You in. Teach me to trust You with the parts of my child’s story that I can’t control. Give me the courage to step forward in faith, believing that You are already there ahead of us.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
