Impossible Until It's Not: Trusting God Beyond Your Fears

Confronting the Shadows: Understanding Fear

Fear seems to surround us, infiltrating everyday life through countless channels—especially social media and news outlets. Some of the most common fears include spiders, snakes, heights, public speaking, and social interactions. Others run deeper, like the fear of failure, inadequacy, illness, or death. Everyone carries personal fears, whether big or small, and some may remain hidden until the moment we face them. No matter where you find yourself on the spectrum of fear, it’s essential to remember: you were made to overcome your fears, not be overcome by them.

Seeking the Source of Strength

The journey to overcoming fear begins with intentional seeking—reaching out to God and asking for His guidance. Yeshua offers hope and promise in Matthew 7:7-8: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” But the deeper question is: What are you seeking? What are you asking for? It’s more than hoping for relief—it’s about opening yourself fully to His wisdom, His voice, and His peace. True seeking requires a heart willing to listen and obey the answers received.

Anyone can pray or meditate, but sincerely seeking God is transformative. When we genuinely ask for His help with a willing heart to obey, He responds—often revealing truths about our fears and the paths that lead beyond them.

Fear isn’t a real barrier; it’s a perception, a shadow in the mind that whispers what might go wrong. Yet, it only holds power when we give it authority. How often do we abandon dreams and opportunities, mistaking the shadow for a wall? This reflection reminds us that acknowledging fear and confronting its grip is the first step toward reshaping our future.

The Voice of Fear vs. The Voice of Hope

Fear’s power often lies in how it speaks to us. It disguises itself as wisdom or caution, whispering, “What if?”—a voice that mimics God’s but comes from a place of darkness. This darkness breeds doubt, anxiety, and worry, causing us to second-guess the path ahead and paralyzing us from moving forward. It weaponizes past failures, trapping us in a cycle of hesitation and regret.

One of my biggest fears is one that many share: public speaking. Yet God has placed me in numerous situations where I’ve had to speak publicly. Publishing these blogs each week has also been a way of confronting that fear. Although it’s easier to write behind a screen, fear still sneaks in with thoughts like, “What if this doesn’t make any sense?” or “What if no one finds this relevant?” Sometimes it even says, “There’s no point—no one’s reading anyway.” But the more I write, the more I learn to fight back, knowing that God has purposefully positioned me.

In moments when I’ve had to speak publicly, fear has hit me even harder. I remember high school oral reports where I’d feel physically overwhelmed—full-blown 8 Mile vibes: “Palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy.” I'd lose my breath and feel nauseous almost instantly. One of the most significant moments came at my mother’s celebration of life. I knew God was calling me to speak—not with a typical eulogy, but with a warning for His people. As I stepped onto the platform, fear overwhelmed me once again, and I broke down crying, walking off stage.

At the end of the stage, my husband met me and told me to pray. So I did. Then, with renewed strength, I walked back to the middle of the stage, ready to face a room full of people who were unlikely to welcome what I had to say. Though I felt resistance from the crowd, it was as if I couldn’t see anyone—I only sensed God’s presence, guiding my every word. Afterward, despite receiving harsh criticism from some, one person came up to thank me, saying she knew that what I spoke applied to her, if to no one else. In that moment, I realized that even though fear tried to silence me, Hope had carried me through. What needed to be said was heard—if only by one.

Hope—the voice of light—is always present, though it often speaks softly. It shines on possibilities, focusing on what could be instead of what might go wrong. Yeshua’s words, “I am the light of the world,” invite us to shift our attention toward His light, which brings growth and resilience, even when the way forward seems unclear. When I tried to walk off the stage in obedience to fear, Hope shifted my focus entirely. I felt the change both emotionally and physically, as peace settled my mind and body.

By choosing to walk in the light of who God is and His plans for us, we can step confidently into the future, knowing His purposes are not to harm us, but to prosper us and give us hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Fear may paralyze, but hope energizes, reminding us that with God, all things are possible—even those things that seem most frightening (Matthew 19:26).

Choosing Courage Over Fear

It’s easy to feel helpless when fear looms large. This episode highlights how fear thrives when we seek answers from others instead of looking to God for direction. When we listen to fear, we risk losing both peace and purpose. As I mentioned earlier, one person was touched by what I spoke that day. But if fear had silenced me, I would carry regret even now for not speaking when God had called me to. Who’s to say I’d even be writing this blog today? I would have missed out on growth in one of my weakest areas, and I would have felt as though the blood of others was on my hands. (Ezekiel 3:18-19). In moments of doubt, we must ask ourselves, “What do I forfeit if I let fear control this moment?” This question reveals that fear is not just an emotion—it’s a pattern and a habit, a reflex we’ve developed over time. But like any habit, it can be broken through intention and faith.

One powerful example from John 11 shows Yeshua making the bold choice to return to Judea, despite His disciples’ fears and concerns. Had He allowed fear to keep Him from going back, Lazarus would not have been raised from the dead. The people there would have missed witnessing this miracle and believing that Yeshua truly was the One sent by God. Although He faced real danger, Yeshua knew it was not yet His time, and His purpose was not yet fulfilled. Fear could not change His destiny—and it can’t change ours unless we let it. When we walk in God’s light, we realize that our purpose is secure, and no challenge can take it from us unless we surrender to fear. The choice to defeat your fears, or be defeated by them, is yours alone. As Joshua 1:9 reminds us: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

God’s command to be strong and courageous isn’t conditional—it’s a call to stand firm at all times. Courage isn’t optional or dependent on how we feel. To be cowardly is to be unbelieving, to live without faith (Revelation 21:8). Psalm 118:6 declares, “Adonai is for me—I will not fear! What can man do to me?” It doesn’t matter what others may say or how they respond; what matters is that we choose to fight against the fears that paralyze us. When we do, we walk upright and pleasing before God, embracing the life He’s called us to live.

3 Key Steps to Overcoming Fear

1. Acknowledge Fear as a Tyrant
   Fear’s power lies in the control we allow it. It acts as a dictator, trying to limit choices and potential. Recognizing fear’s influence is essential to breaking free. We are reminded to confront what fear is doing to us—how it tries to steer us away from purpose.

2. Realize You Were Born to Defeat Your Fears
   Each of us has our unique fears to face, and we are equipped to overcome them. Life isn’t about sidestepping fear but standing against it, knowing we’re built to win. Faith and hope conquer fear’s prison, but it’s a choice we must make daily.

3. Surround Yourself with Hope and Positivity
   Like fear, hope grows when fed. Daily surrounding yourself with hope—through supportive people, affirmations, and scriptures—slowly rewires the mind to focus on possibilities rather than limitations. Hope is the antidote to fear, and as you nurture it, fear’s influence weakens.

Takeaway: Moving from the Impossible to the Possible

This episode offers a powerful takeaway: the idea of “impossible” only holds power if we choose to believe it does. Often, we become the creators of our own limitations by letting fear or doubt shape the boundaries of our imagination. Just as Philip doubted that feeding 5,000 people with a few loaves and fish was possible, we too can see our challenges as overwhelming. Yet, Yeshua calls us to remember the miracles we’ve already witnessed and believe in what could still unfold. A quote from the children’s movie The Magician’s Elephant beautifully captures this truth: “Things are only impossible until they’re not.” When we lean into hope and trust God’s provision, we stop constructing barriers and begin making space for the miraculous.

Ultimately, fear doesn’t stand a chance when we choose light, seek God’s wisdom, and nurture hope. As you navigate your journey, remember: fear is a shadow, not a wall. And with God, you can move from fearing the impossible to living in a realm of infinite possibility.

Fear can feel like a constant, uninvited companion, lingering in the background of your subconscious mind. It quietly influences decisions, fuels doubt, and darkens the journey ahead. In Episode 40 of Something Has to Change, Stephen of Contemporary Speaks dives into this pervasive experience and offers a roadmap to finding freedom from fear through faith.

“I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” - Psalm 34:4

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