Faith over Fear!

“Coronavirus is in our town.”
I don’t know if you’ve ever felt the kind of fright that runs through your veins, flooding your blood vessels and seeping into your very cells.
That’s exactly what I felt the night I heard those words.

2020 was a hard time for everyone. For me, it was terrible. Every second was filled with fear. Every morning, I dreaded catching the virus, and every night was spent in tears—and more fear.

One morning, before lockdown overtook our area, I woke up to find my brother sick. Again, the fast heartbeat, shallow breathing, and dizziness overwhelmed me. My heart raced as my mom informed my sister and me that she’d be staying home that day.

I boarded the school bus excitedly, feeling safe at school. The day passed quickly, and before I knew it, I was on my way home. But as we neared my street, negative scenarios crowded my mind.

I imagined my sister and me opening the door, stepping cautiously into the warm house. Dropping our backpacks in the living room, we’d call for Mom, only to be met with silence. Anxiety would rise as we climbed the stairs to my bedroom, which I shared with my brother. My sister would open the door and gasp at the sight.

I’d step in and immediately break down in tears. My brother would be lying on the bed, my mom seated beside him.
“He’s dying…” she’d whisper. “And I caught it.”

From there, the scenario spiraled. My brother would die, my mom would become gravely ill and turn into a zombie, my dad and sister would also catch it, and I’d have no choice but to run away from home.

Thankfully, when I got home, none of that happened. My mom wasn’t a zombie, and my brother wasn’t dying—they were completely fine.

But I wasn’t. The intrusive thoughts and terrifying scenarios kept coming every day. I tried to stay positive and make the best of things, but it wasn’t easy. My nightly prayer remained the same:

“Dear Jesus, thank You for this day. Thank You for protecting us so far. Please protect my dad at work. Please help none of my family, friends, or their families catch Corona. Help us to be more like You. Amen.”

Yet even that wasn’t enough to calm my fears. Hugging myself tightly, tears rolling down my cheeks, I’d whisper over and over before falling asleep:
“Please keep us safe. Please don’t let us get sick. Please, God, please.”

After months of constant fear, when lockdown became the norm, I’d had enough. I was only ten years old, and no child should have to live in that kind of fear.

One night, when the house was still and quiet, I climbed down from the top bunk and knelt in the darkness.
“Dear Heavenly Father, You know my weaknesses and the fear and anxiety I’ve been living in for the past three months. The world is literally locked down, and I can’t do this anymore. It hurts to be so afraid. Please help me overcome my fears and let all of this be over soon. Help me not to worry too much and to trust in You. Please help me...
In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.”

With that prayer, I climbed back into bed, feeling a shaky new courage and trust.

That’s really it, you know? Believing. You’re faced with a choice: faith or fear. And I assure you, choosing faith will make you much happier. All you have to do is surrender—let go and let God.

Letting go means looking at the present, and letting God means believing He has a plan for your future. All it takes is faith.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen (Hebrews 11:1). You may not see it yet, but God does. He will lead you to the life He has in store for you.

If you’re willing, take His hand. Surrender your life. I let go of my fears and let God take the wheel. If you do the same, your life will get so much better—just like mine.

Mackenzie Jada, 14