When Fear Feels Loud
It’s one thing to be told “Don’t be afraid.” But here’s the thing—simply telling yourself not to be afraid doesn’t magically make you brave.
Bravery isn’t the absence of fear; it’s practicing strength in the face of it.
Wisdom From A Prison Cell
In 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul writes, “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control.” What’s remarkable is where he wrote this—from a prison cell, knowing death was near. This wasn’t a triumphant speech from a safe place. This was a man facing the unthinkable, whispering courage to a young pastor named Timothy.
Paul wasn’t shaming Timothy for feeling afraid; he was reminding him that the Holy Spirit meets us exactly where we are—even in our anxiety.
I’m sure you’ve heard someone say this familiar phrase, and some of you have probably had it said to you, “Fake it until you make it.” I’ve even said it to friends before. It sounds empowering… but when we’re tempted to fake bravery, what we’re really doing is relying on ourselves instead of the Lord.
I learned this firsthand in some high-pressure environments when I worked in public affairs. As a young adult, I often found myself walking into board rooms with senior military leaders—the kind appointed by the President and confirmed by Congress. They’re not your everyday commanders. They’re the people shaping global decisions.
I’ve briefed them. My peers have briefed them. And every time, the nerves were real.
I would tell myself, “Just fake it until you make it.”
Hold your chin high. Look confident. Act like you belong there.
Why ‘Fake It ‘Til You Make It’ Falls Short
And while confidence is good, pretending your strength comes from you quickly becomes exhausting. This isn’t suggesting that you won’t face things like imposter syndrome or self-doubt, but we should examine our intent when considering this technique. This can be considered prideful if the “faking” is done to appear superior and prevents you from you admitting you don’t know something and asking for help, which is a sing of true confidence.
That’s why salvation is such a marvel. When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we no longer have to carry the weight of fear or the pressure to “perform brave.” We no longer have to rely on our own shaky ability to bluff our way through life. The Holy Spirit gives us real power—God’s strength, not the flimsy “fake it” version.
In 2 Timothy, Paul is reminding Timothy that God’s Spirit equips us to face fear—not by pretending we’re strong, but by trusting that He is.
God reminded me of this again in the sweetest, simplest way at my kids’ school recently. While picking up our kids I overheard a little girl (the principal’s daughter) confronting a boy who wasn’t behaving kindly. She puffed out her chest and said, “My dad is the principal. I’m going to tell on you.”
And I thought… What if we had that kind of boldness in our spiritual battles?
In earthly situations, it’s frowned upon to name-drop your familial connections.
But spiritually? It’s everything.
Imagine speaking to your fears and anxieties with that same confidence:
“My Father is the Most High King. He empowers me and I’m not afraid of you.”
What if during those high-pressure briefs I had reminded myself that God put me in the position to advise leaders affecting real global decisions.
He put me there.
And, if he put me there, then I was where I was meant to be and I didn’t need to fake anything.
Lessons From the Board Room
Here’s the truth I wish I understood back then, fear and cowardice are not from God. They are tools the enemy uses to distract us, discourage us, and keep us from stepping into the blessings God has prepared. When fear wins, we miss out on the growth that comes from obedience.
Courage grows when we choose to trust in Him over our performance. But exercising this kind of holy confidence takes practice. Spiritual strength builds slowly—through patience, endurance, and faithful action. And it’s not about doing more for God; it’s about trusting Him more deeply.
That might look like…
• reading Scripture even when you feel overwhelmed
• loving a family member who has hurt you
• praying consistently
• taking a brave step God is nudging you toward
• doing something scary simply because He said “go”
Don't Fake It 'Til You Make It - FAITH It 'Til You Make It
So friend—do the scary thing God is calling you to do.
Try that recipe. Write the book. Get the cow or goat (with your spouse’s agreement LOL). Apply for the job. Go on the date. Run that marathon. Go back to school. If any of these resonate with you – do the scary thing.
But don’t “fake it ‘til you make it.”
Do it with the strength only the Holy Spirit can give.
His power is better than pretending. And His presence is better than fear.
Thank you for spending some of your valuable time with me this week. Please consider sharing this blog with your friends who may be interested in what we’re doing here at Graceful Hearth.
If you are finding this helpful, please send me a note or leave a comment. I’d love to know your thoughts.
“My Father is the Most High King. He empowers me and I’m not afraid of you.”
How that little girl’s inspiration blossomed such a powerful post is nothing short of a gift from Heaven. THIS is a gift of a message! God BLESS you, Jess!