The Daily: Tuesday December 16, 2025

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,
‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’
Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.’ But the Lord said to me,
‘Do not say, “I am only a boy”;
for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you.
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
says the Lord.’

Jeremiah 4:4-8

Recognizing the Space for Choice

Fear has a way of making us feel powerless, as if we're trapped with no options. But even in our most frightening moments, we retain something precious: the power to choose our response. This choice doesn't eliminate the fear, but it transforms our relationship with it.

When we're gripped by anxiety about the future or overwhelmed by current circumstances, we can practice a simple but powerful shift. Instead of fighting the energy that fear creates in our bodies, we can redirect it. That racing heart and heightened alertness that comes with anxiety is remarkably similar to excitement. By consciously choosing to reframe our internal narrative from 'I'm anxious about this' to 'I'm excited about this possibility,' we can harness fear's energy rather than be paralyzed by it. This isn't about denying reality or pretending everything is fine. It's about recognizing that even in the midst of legitimate concerns, we have agency. We can choose how to interpret our circumstances and how to move forward. Today, when fear tries to convince you that you're stuck, remember: you always have a choice in how you respond.

Reflection
Think of a current situation causing you anxiety - how might your perspective shift if you chose to view it as an exciting opportunity rather than a threat?

Prayer
Lord, help me remember that even in fear, I have choices. When anxiety threatens to overwhelm me, give me the wisdom to reframe my perspective and the courage to choose hope over despair. Thank you for the gift of agency even in difficult circumstances. Amen.