The Chronicles of Narnia, the classic series by C. S. Lewis, makes vivid the essentials of faith and love in our relationship with the One who loved us first. A land locked in the frigidness of winter, Narnia awaits the breath of Aslan to stir it to redemptive life. Lucy, the youngest of the four key human characters in the novels, exudes great trust and tenacity. Her older sister Susan, however, is at times more fearful and timid. Fear has often been my faithless companion too.

Wherever it moves, fear steals. It drives us to self-sufficiency in an endless litany of “what ifs.” Countless times God provided for the children of Israel in their journey to the Promised Land. Yet they often viewed themselves based on their circumstances rather than on the greatness of their God. They counseled with fear (Numbers 13:31-33) rather than with trust in God (13:30, 14:6-10). The result was life-altering. Yesterday’s provision can serve as a reminder of God’s faithfulness, but Israel’s 40 years of wandering around the wilderness shows us that trust in Him is a daily thing.

Second Timothy 1:7 says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Jesus’ work for us on the cross has obliterated our need to fear. As we follow Him, we gain assurance and trust from . . .

• A right understanding of God (Numbers 14:17-20).

• An absolute trust in Him (Isaiah 26:3-4).

• A crucified life (Romans 6:4-6).

Just as salvation requires our submission to the cross, we must choose to walk in the fullness of its overcoming power. To live in fear is to return to the “winter” of our past, expecting the Father to give us something that is already ours (Luke 12:32).