A Year Marked by Trust, Not Fear
Each year I pray for God to give me a word and Bible verse that will become my anchor for the New Year. Then, a few days ago, God reminded me that my newest book releases on January 15 and that it is a book about fighting fear with faith. It was then I adopted the phrase No Fear as my word for 2026, and the verse is Psalms 56:3 (NIV); “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
Why did I decide on this topic for my book? Fear, a relentless thief, steals life’s joy and derails its plans. But Christians don’t have to be fearful; they can find peace in their faith. Fear should not define Christians; instead, their lives should exemplify a brave and resolute spirit. My twenty-one-day devotional addresses many of the fears Christians face in today’s world, offering daily reflections and prayers for strength and guidance.
Why “No Fear” Became My Word for the Year
We all struggle with fear in our lives, and I’m not exempt from it. A few years ago, I realized I spent more time acknowledging the fear but never giving it to God to let Him tackle it. During this time, God has redirected my heart from trying to control fear to trusting Him with it. I declare God will help me live a life with no fear this year. I no longer want fear ruling my life and keeping me from freedom in Christ. When we give all our fears to God, we see how God will shrink those fears. We don’t find peace in the absence of fear, but in the presence of God’s strength.
Anchored in Scripture: Psalm 56:3 (NIV)
David wrote Psalm 56:3 during a terrifying moment when the Philistines captured him in Gath, expressing his choice to rely on God despite his fear, not because he felt none, turning his vulnerability into a powerful declaration of faith in God’s ultimate protection over human threats. It’s a testament of David choosing trust over fear.
We need to notice that the honesty of the verse is in the word “when” and not “if.” These words show that how we handle our fears is an active choice; we put our trust in You. Picking this verse for the year will guide my prayers, decisions, and mindset throughout the year. God stands ready to help us conquer our fears when we seek Him.
Living “No Fear” in Everyday Faith
Faith grows stronger every time we hand a fear to God. Let’s look at a few practical ways to surrender our fears to God:
- Trust God with the outcome instead of trying to control it.
- Replace anxious thoughts with prayers.
- Speak truth over the fear.
- Read Psalms and God’s promises to ease the fear.
- Find encouraging verses about not fearing in the Bible.
- And keep a journal to see how God makes the fear smaller.
God stands ready to help us conquer our fears when we seek Him.
Big God, Little Fears: The Heart of the Message
Through this new book, I want to help readers:
- How to identify fears that limit faith.
- How to pray through anxiety with confidence.
- Practical ways to replace fear with trust.
- That peace is possible even when life feels uncertain.
Seeing God and trusting Him with our fears changes how we see our circumstances. A question we can ask ourselves; What would shift if I believed God is bigger than my fear?
Invitation to Choose a Word and Verse for the Year
Do you choose a word or verse for each new year? I encourage each person to give prayerful consideration to adopting this practice. These words and verses help anchor my new year in Christ as they provide me with clarity, focus and peace. Won’t you join me? If you do, please share your choices with me.
Trusting God One Moment at a Time
Courage doesn’t mean fear disappears, but it loses its power over us when we put it in God’s hands. The Bible tells us where to go when we experience fears in Psalms 56:3 (NIV); “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” If you want to dig deeper into the topic of fear, check out my new book called “Big God = little fears,” releasing on January 15. I pray it helps people to trust God with their fears.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, when fear rises in our hearts, help us remember You are bigger than every worry we face. Teach us to place our trust fully in You, moment by moment, just as Your Word reminds us in Psalm 56:3. As we step into this year, replace fear with faith, anxiety with peace, and uncertainty with confidence in Your perfect plan. We choose to trust You because You are faithful. Amen.
Join My Launch Team?
Do you want to join the launch team for Yvonne Morgan’s book, “BIG GOD = little fears.” Here is a brief description:
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Christians can overcome fear by trusting in God and relying on the Word of God.
Fear, a relentless thief, steals life’s joy and derails its plans. But Christians don’t have to be fearful; they can find peace in their faith. Fear should not define Christians; instead, their lives should exemplify a brave and resolute spirit. This twenty-one-day devotional addresses many of the fears Christians face in today’s world, offering daily reflections and prayers for strength and guidance.
The daily message starts with an encouraging NIV Bible verse, which is then followed by a focused devotional addressing a particular fear. Included daily is a powerful Bible promise, accompanied by a prayer designed to help the reader combat their fear. The daily message presents questions as action items, allowing users to customize their information intake and take part. A chosen passage from Psalms reinforces the day’s lessons; designed for repeated reading and reflection.
Click below to get more information and join the team.
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Additional Resources:
Yvonne, I’m glad you pointed out that courage doesn’t mean fear disappears. Sometimes we just have to do it afraid trusting God for the outcome. He will strengthen us and give us the ability to follow His will.
Thanks Barbara. Happy 2026.
I’m thankful that when my fears try to take hold, I can rest in the promises of God. 🙂 Blessings.
Me too. We are blessed to have a place to take our fears. Blessings
Congratulations on your new book! So thankful for our Big God.
Thank you Debbie and blessings ❤️
I love your verse for the year and the why behind it. Good reminder for me to hold on to. Your book sounds like one much needed in today’s world.
Thanks Candyce. There is so much fear around us and I hope the book helps. Blessings
I’m looking forward to delving into your newest book, Yvonne. “No Fear!” He is a Big God!
He is a Big God that can handle anything we give to Him. Thanks Katherine and blessings
Amen! Fear is a thief and a liar. Thank you for writing this helpful and important book, Yvonne!
Thanks Jessica. It does rob us of so much joy. Blessings
Congrats on your upcoming book, Yvonne! I believe it is a much needed topic and I like how you pointed out that David put his trust in God “when” he was afraid. I hope I can have a faith like his. Thank you.
I pray to have that kind of faith too. Thanks Stephen and blessings.
Years ago when I had fearful thoughts anticipating what could happen in a situation, a friend pointed me to 1 Timothy 1:7- God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind. I return to that whenever I face a present or anticipated fear.
That’s such a wonderful verse to help with fears. Thanks and blessings to you Marilyn