When fear clouds our thinking, poor decisions can suddenly seem reasonable. District Apostle Joseph Opemba Ekhuya from Kenya in East Africa illustrates why trust is a far better guide than panic.
Our motto for 2026 is: “Don’t be afraid. Just believe!” There are many reasons why we should not allow ourselves to become fearful. Fear shifts our focus from what God has said to what we are afraid of, and it can turn a hopeful future into a missed opportunity. Fear has a powerful effect on the human mind. It can distort our thinking, cloud our judgment, and lead us to make decisions we would not normally make. The Old Testament gives a clear example of this in the story of King Saul in 1 Samuel 13.
At this point in Israel’s history, Saul was leading the nation in a time of conflict with the Philistines. The situation was tense. His army was small, his enemies were gathering strength, and his soldiers were beginning to lose courage and scatter. The prophet Samuel had instructed Saul to wait seven days for him to arrive and offer a sacrifice before going into battle. This was important because it showed dependence on God rather than human effort.
But as the days passed and the pressure increased, fear began to take hold of Saul. His men were terrified and began to scatter, the pressure increased, and Samuel did not come at the set time. Instead of waiting as instructed, Saul took matters into his own hands and offered the sacrifice himself—something he was not authorised to do.
The decision to offer the sacrifice was driven by fear rather than deliberate rebellion. His judgement was impaired. He allowed the situation around him to override the command he had received from God. Ironically, just as he finished offering the sacrifice, Samuel arrived. Saul’s impatience, driven by fear, led to a serious consequence: Samuel told him that his kingdom would not endure.
This story shows how fear can push us into making rushed and unwise decisions. When we focus more on what we see happening around us than on what God has said, we are more likely to act out of panic than faith.
However, the lesson goes beyond failure. It reminds us that God is pleased when we trust Him enough to wait and obey, even under pressure. Choosing faith over fear may not always be easy, but it leads to better decisions and a stronger relationship with God.
Fear may cloud our judgment, but faith clears the path.