Fear. It’s not something that just grips the big cities or the bustling suburbs anymore. No, fear has found its way into small-town America, places that were once the bedrock of community values, honesty, and trust. But lately, it feels like we’re afraid—afraid of our own people, afraid of the very things that make up the fabric of our communities.
Are we afraid to enforce the laws that keep our streets safe? It seems shoplifting goes unchecked, with no real consequences for those who break the law. Are we hesitant to uphold justice for even the smallest offenses because we fear backlash? What happened to protecting our neighborhoods and standing up for what’s right? But it’s not just about laws and order. It’s deeper. Are we afraid to speak up for our faith? Jesus preached on the steps of the synagogue, boldly professing truth in the public square. He didn’t shrink back in fear of rejection or condemnation. So why do we? Why do we hesitate to speak the truth when the world around us drifts further away from biblical principles? Are we afraid to share our beliefs in public, even when our hearts tell us to stand firm in Christ?
Look around—what are you afraid of? We live in a time when people seem afraid of expressing their beliefs or questioning authority. Social media has become the new town square, but it’s also a place of judgment, where opinions are met with ridicule and scorn. Are we afraid to speak up for fear of being canceled or chastised? Are we too scared to ask our council members, our mayor, our governor, our president the tough questions? When’s the last time you spoke up?
Our Founding Fathers fought for our freedom of speech, yet what is the value of this freedom if we don’t use it? And even worse, what does it say about our country if we’re too afraid to use it?
Christians, we must remember that fear is not of God. We are called to live in faith, not fear. The Bible reminds us in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” If we let fear control us, we lose our voice, our courage, and ultimately, our identity as followers of Christ and as Americans. We cannot afford to let fear silence us.
It’s time to speak up, not just for us, but for the future of our communities and our country. We need leaders who are righteous, bold, and just – leaders who reflect the principles of faith and truth. But if we don’t step forward, if we don’t use our voice, who will?
What are we afraid of? Are we afraid of standing out, of being different? Afraid of speaking up for what is right? If so, we must ask ourselves: what is the cost of our silence? What happens when fear becomes louder than truth?
The time to speak is now. Let’s reclaim our voice, not just as Americans, but as Christians living boldly in faith, knowing that God is with us. Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9). In these uncertain times, let us be the light that pushes back against the darkness, unafraid to speak truth in a world filled with fear.