Do Not Be Afraid — God Is With Us

We’re only a couple of weeks into 2026, and already it feels like the world is moving at warp speed.

Between sickness sweeping across the country, unrest in multiple nations, protests, economic tension, and global political chaos, there is a lot happening all at once. Sometimes it feels like every time you look up there’s another headline, another crisis, another thing unfolding in the world.

But in the middle of all of this, the Lord has been speaking something very clear to me.

Do not be afraid.

That’s the message.

And it’s not just something I feel emotionally. It’s something the Lord reminded me of through Scripture.

A Calling to Watch and Pray

Most of the time when I write or teach, I’m talking about healing the soul, renewing the mind, and learning how to walk in the Spirit. Those things matter deeply to me because I’ve walked through a lot of trauma in my own life, and I know how important it is to find freedom internally.

But there’s another side to the calling God has placed on my life.

For decades now, I’ve had what I would call prophetic dreams and impressions—often about nations, leaders, or events happening in the world. Sometimes they’ve involved other countries. Sometimes they’ve involved America. And many times they were things that drove me to prayer.

For a long time I didn’t know what to do with that.

I didn’t grow up around people who talked about prophetic intercession. I didn’t have a roadmap for it. But over time I’ve come to understand that God gives these things not so we can be sensational, but so that we can pray and partner with Him.

Intercession is one of the most powerful things the church can do.

• It’s quiet work.
• It’s often unseen.
• But it moves heaven and earth.

God invites His people to pray His will into the earth.

Something Is Happening in the World

If you’ve been paying attention to global events lately, you probably feel it too.

Something is shifting.

There is unrest in multiple regions of the world. Governments are under pressure. Young people are rising up against oppressive systems. Entire nations are in turmoil.

As I watched the events unfolding in Iran, my heart broke for the people there—especially the young generation protesting in the streets. Many of them are just kids. They’ve grown up under oppression and limited opportunity.

But as I watched, I felt something deeply in my spirit.

God is coming for them.

He sees them.
He hears them.
And He is not indifferent to their suffering.

The Scripture the Lord Brought to My Mind

One day as I was walking into my office, I asked the Lord a simple question:

“Lord, what do you want me to talk about?”

Immediately a scripture came into my mind.

“Do not fear, for I am with you.
Do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you; I will help you.
I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.”

— Isaiah 41:10

That verse stopped me in my tracks.

Because it contains two promises:

• God will strengthen us.
• God will hold us by the hand.

Even when we feel weak. Even when the world looks unstable. Even when things feel uncertain.

He is still holding us.

The enemy’s weapon is fear.

But fear is never God’s weapon.

God calls us to trust Him.

Remember Who You Belong To

Isaiah originally spoke these words to Israel. But as believers, we are grafted into that same promise through Christ.

We are part of the same vine.

Which means the character of God revealed in Scripture still applies to us today.

He is still:

• our help
• our strength
• our protector
• our source of peace

Jesus Himself is called the Prince of Peace.

That’s the atmosphere we’re meant to live in—even when the world feels chaotic.

God Is Still Moving in History

One of the things I love about Scripture is that the stories in the Bible are not just historical records.

They are patterns.

Throughout history we see the same themes repeating:

• God raising up leaders at strategic moments
• God delivering people from oppressive systems
• God exposing corruption
• God bringing revival

Our hope is never in human leaders.

Our hope is in God.

But God absolutely works through people to accomplish His purposes.

The Moment We Are Living In

I believe we are living in a moment of tremendous spiritual significance.

Not a moment of defeat.

A moment of awakening.

A moment where God is exposing corruption, shifting systems, and preparing the world for another move of His Spirit.

Scripture talks about the fullness of the Gentiles coming in. It talks about revival. It talks about the gospel reaching the nations.

And I believe we are still in that window.

Which means now is not the time for fear.

It’s the time for prayer.

A Word for Anyone Who Is Afraid

If you’ve been watching the news and feeling overwhelmed…

If the headlines make your heart race…

If the future feels uncertain…

Hear this clearly.

Do not be afraid.

God has not left His people.

He is still in control.

He is still strengthening us.

And He is still holding us by the hand.

The Invitation

Instead of fear, the Lord is inviting us into something better.

• Prayer
• Intercession
• Trust

He is calling believers everywhere to stand in the gap and pray for:

• the nations
• those under oppression
• peace in our cities
• wisdom for leaders
• revival in the church

God is not asking us to panic.

He’s asking us to partner with Him.

Final Encouragement

No matter what is happening in the world right now, one truth remains unshaken:

God is with us.

He is our strength.
He is our help.
He is holding our hand.

So take a deep breath.

Lift your eyes.

And remember the promise:

“Do not fear, for I am with you.”

If this encouraged you, share it with someone who might need the reminder today.

And most of all—let’s keep praying.

check out the podcast episode of this blog here: https://grace-grit.castos.com/episodes/prophetic-word-do-not-be-afraidgod-is-with-us