When Fear Hits, Decide to Trust

Austin Gardner • May 1, 2026

The quiet decision that changes everything when fear rises

It happens to the best of us. You’re moving along, doing your best to follow the Lord, and then it strikes. Maybe it’s a phone call from a doctor, a sudden shift in your finances, or a conflict in your family that seems to have no resolution. In an instant, that cold grip of fear seizes your heart. Your mind starts racing through every "what if" scenario, and suddenly, the peace you thought you had is gone.

Listen, I want to be very clear with you right from the start: getting scared is a given. It is going to happen. You aren't a "bad Christian" because you feel a surge of panic. You haven't failed some spiritual test just because your heart is thumping against your ribs. Fear is a human response to a fallen world. However, what we do in those seconds after the fear hits is what truly matters. We have a choice to make, and that choice changes everything about our journey in faith-based development.

Psalm 56:3 “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”

This verse is so simple, yet it holds the key to surviving the storms of life. David didn't say, "I will never be afraid." He said, "What time I am afraid." He acknowledged the reality of the emotion, but he followed it immediately with a decision of the will. When fear hits, we must decide to trust.

The Reality of Fear in a Broken World

We live in a world that is often loud, chaotic, and threatening. Consequently, it is perfectly natural to experience fear. Over my years in ministry, and specifically through my own battles with Stage 4 cancer and COVID, I’ve learned that fear doesn't care how many years you've walked with God. It doesn't care how many books you’ve written or how many people you’ve mentored.

Fear is an equal-opportunity visitor. For example, you might be a young mother worried about your child's future, or a seasoned leader concerned about your organization's direction. Regardless of your season of life, fear will show up at your door. The goal isn't to become someone who never feels fear; the goal is to become someone who knows exactly what to do with it the moment it arrives.

Austin Gardner has often said that the Christian life isn't about the absence of trouble, but the presence of God in the midst of it. When we pretend we aren't scared, we actually move away from the very grace we need. On the contrary, when we admit our fear, we open the door for God’s mercy to meet us right where we are.

The Split-Second Decision

Trust is not a feeling. If you wait until you feel trusting before you act, you might be waiting a long time. Trust is a conscious decision made the very minute the fear strikes. The moment that seizing feeling hits your chest, you have to talk to yourself. You have to tell your soul, "I am afraid right now, but I am deciding to trust the Lord."

This is an active process. It’s not passive. It’s not just sitting back and hoping things get better. It is a spiritual pivot. You are turning your gaze away from the giant in front of you and looking at the Father who holds the giant in His hand. This decision is rooted in the finished work of Jesus. We don't trust God so that He will love us; we trust Him because He already does.

“The Christian life was never meant to be powered by fear, pressure, or performance. It was meant to be lived from being loved first.”

When you realize you are already loved, the pressure to "handle it" on your own starts to fade. You can admit, "Lord, I don't know what to do. I am shaking. I am scared. But I choose to believe You are good."

Admitting Our Inability

One of the biggest hurdles to finding peace is our own pride. We want to be the "strong one." We want to have the answers. Therefore, when fear hits, we often go into "fix-it" mode. We try to strategize, manipulate, or work our way out of the anxiety. But the truth is, we are often unable to deal with the source of our fear.

The most liberating thing you can do is admit your inability to the Lord. Tell Him, "I am unable to handle this fear, but I will trust You." This is where faith-based development really takes root. It’s not about developing your own strength; it’s about developing your dependence on His strength.

God’s mercy is not looking for a perfect performance. It is looking for a heart that is willing to be honest. When we stop performing and start resting, we find that His grace is more than sufficient. You are not being graded on how "brave" you look to others. You are being held by a Father who understands your frame.

The Promise of Perfect Peace

There is a beautiful promise found in the Word for those who decide to trust. If we keep our hearts and minds centered on Him, He has promised to keep us in perfect peace. This isn't just a temporary calm; it is a deep, settled rest that doesn't make sense to the world around us.

Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

Think about that. The condition for this peace is simply staying our minds on Him. Specifically, this means focusing on who He is and what He can do, rather than focusing on the "what ifs." When you find your mind wandering toward the worst-case scenario, gently pull it back to the character of God. Think about His faithfulness in the past. Think about His promises that never fail.

I’ve found that The Big Leap of Faith is often just believing that God loves you exactly as you are, even when you’re scared. That love is the foundation of peace. If the Creator of the universe is for you, who can be against you?

Laying Anxiety at His Feet

So, how do we practically do this? How do we take that heart-pounding anxiety and turn it into peace? The Bible gives us a very clear process. We are told to take all of our anxiousness and lay it at His feet.

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Notice the key ingredient there: with thanksgiving. When fear hits, we tend to ask God for help, but we often forget to thank Him. Thanksgiving is evidence of trust. When you thank Him for meeting the need before you see the solution, you are making a bold statement of faith. You are saying, "Lord, I don't see the answer yet, but I know You are a provider. Thank You for taking care of me."

After you've laid it at His feet and thanked Him, the final step is the hardest: leave it there. Don't pick it back up when you get off your knees. Leave with the peace that comes from knowing the burden is no longer yours to carry.

Resting in His Love

Fears will come. That is a certainty. However, you can decide right now, before the next storm hits, that you will be a person who trusts. You can decide that when you are worried, you will take it to the Lord. You will believe that He loves you and will take care of you.

Stop trying to fix yourself so you can earn His help. Instead, remember this:

“Rest doesn't come after you fix yourself. Rest comes first.”

Think about who He is. He is the Alpha and the Omega. He is the Good Shepherd. He is the one who conquered death and the grave. If He can handle eternity, He can certainly handle your Tuesday afternoon. Rest in the knowledge that He loves you with an everlasting love. His mercy is running toward you today, ready to bring real grace and honest hope.

You are not behind. You are not being graded. You are being held. So, the next time the fear hits, take a deep breath, look up, and say, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee."

FAQ: Trusting God Through Fear

How do I stop feeling afraid when life gets hard?
The goal isn't necessarily to stop the feeling of fear, as fear is a natural human response. Instead, the focus should be on what you do with that feeling by immediately deciding to trust God despite how you feel. Peace comes not from the absence of fear, but from the presence of God in the midst of it.

What if I keep picking my worries back up after I pray?
It is common to struggle with letting go, but this is where we must rely on God's grace rather than our own willpower. When you realize you've picked the worry back up, simply return it to the Lord with thanksgiving, reminding yourself that He is the one in control.

Can I really have peace when my situation hasn't changed?
Yes, because biblical peace is "perfect peace" that passes all understanding and is not dependent on external circumstances. By keeping your mind stayed on the character of God and His finished work, you can experience a deep, internal rest even while the storm is still raging around you.

Want to dive deeper into finding rest in God's grace?