Fear is one of the enemy’s favorite tools. It sneaks into our thoughts, paralyzes our decisions, and keeps us from stepping into the promises God has prepared for us. But the good news is this: God’s Word gives us everything we need to walk boldly and courageously — without fear — into His plans.
In Joshua 1:6-9, God repeatedly commands Joshua to be “strong and courageous.” Joshua was about to lead God’s people into the Promised Land, and he needed this reminder — not once, but four times — because fear is powerful. But God’s presence, promises, and power are stronger.
That’s where the acronym “N.O. F.E.A.R.” comes in — a practical way to remember how we can face fear head-on and open ourselves to God’s unlimited possibilities:
N – Never Give Up
O – Open Yourself to God’s Possibilities
F – Focus Intently on God’s Goals
E – Examine God’s Word for Clarity
A – Apply God’s Values for Success
R – Remember God Is Always With You
Let’s explore how to live this out — starting with the “O”: Open Yourself to God’s Possibilities.
Step Into the Possibilities God Has for You
In Joshua 1:6, God says:
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.”
Did you catch that? “You will lead.” Not maybe or if everything works out perfectly — you will.
God’s promises are certain, but they require us to trust Him enough to take the next step. The Israelites had a history of letting fear stop them. They doubted, delayed, and wandered in the wilderness for 40 years because they couldn’t see past their circumstances to God’s possibilities.
Sound familiar? We often do the same. Fear convinces us that God’s promises are for someone else, that we’re too weak, too broken, or too late. But fear is a liar — and it’s time to call it out.
Four Mind-Closing Fears That Block God’s Possibilities
If you want to live fearlessly, you need to recognize the fears that shut your mind and heart to what God is
doing:
- Fear of Failure – “I tried and failed before… so why try again?”
Perfectionists wrestle with this one, but failure isn’t final — it’s feedback. God often uses failure as a stepping stone to greater faith. - Fear of Pain – “I was hurt before… I can’t risk that again.”
Emotional wounds can hold us hostage. But remember: pain is temporary, and God’s healing is permanent. Don’t miss His beauty because you’re afraid of being bruised. - Fear of Rejection – “What will people think?”
Living for approval leads to paralysis. Like a good salesperson, we must learn that rejection is part of the journey — not the end of it. - Fear of the Future – “What if it all goes wrong?”
Fear of the unknown causes us to imagine worst-case scenarios. But the One who holds the future also
holds you.
What Fear Produces in Our Lives
Fear doesn’t just stop us — it shapes us. When left unchecked, it leads to:
Low Expectations – We stop believing God can do the impossible.
Spiritual Stagnation – Our faith becomes stagnant, like a pond with no flow.
Self-Destructive Behaviors – We turn to coping mechanisms (like isolation, addiction, or blame) to manage what we fear instead of trusting God with it.
The good news? God doesn’t leave us stuck. Through Joshua’s story, we discover four courageous habits that
break fear’s grip and unlock God’s possibilities.
Four Courageous Habits to Defeat Fear
Listen to God
Joshua heard God’s promise clearly — and believed it.
“Be strong and courageous… you will lead these people to inherit the land.” — Joshua 1:6
Faith grows when we tune our ears to God’s Word. As Romans 10:17 says: “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Courage Challenge #1: Spend one minute a day simply listening to God. Sit in silence and ask Him to show you what’s possible.
Expect More From God
Joshua didn’t just listen — he prepared for God’s promise.
“Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan.’” — Joshua 1:11
Expectation is faith in action. Joshua expected amazing things — and God delivered (Joshua 3:5).
Courage Challenge #2: Spend one minute a day dreaming about the future with God. Write down what He might do. He loves when we expect big things from Him.
Trust God
When the priests stepped into the flooded Jordan River, the waters stopped (Joshua 3:15-17). They didn’t wait for the miracle — they stepped out before it happened. Trust is choosing God’s promises over our fears.
“He will not fear bad news; his heart is confident, trusting in the LORD.” — Psalm 112:7
Courage Challenge #3: Spend one minute a day entrusting specific areas of your life — your family, future, finances, or health — into God’s hands. Then take one small step of faith.
Revere God
The story ends with awe and worship.
“He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.” — Joshua 4:24
This “fear” isn’t terror — it’s awe. Reverence shifts our focus from the size of our problems to the greatness of our God.
Courage Challenge #4: Spend one minute a day thanking God for what He’s already done and praising Him for what’s still to come. Gratitude crushes fear.
Final Thoughts: Stepping Into God’s Promise
Fear may knock at your door, but it doesn’t have to move in. Like Joshua, you are called to live boldly and courageously — not because you’re fearless, but because God is faithful.
So, let’s put this into action:
Listen to God — Tune your heart to His voice.
Expect More From God — Dream bigger than your doubts.
Trust God — Step into the waters before they part.
Revere God — Worship the One who fights for you.
When you do, fear loses its grip and faith takes the lead. And you’ll find yourself walking — step by step — into the Promised Land God prepared for you all along.
Your Next Step
Take a moment right now and ask: “What possibilities does God have for me if I stop letting fear control my life?”
Then, go put your feet in the water — and watch God do what only He can do.
