Have you ever looked forward to something with great expectation and excitement, only to get there and experience something different in the moment?

About a week ago, I stepped into what should have been one of the most beautiful, breathtaking walks of my life. The heavily wooded neighborhood in the Montana mountains was calling. I’d never been in the mountains like this, and everywhere I turned, there were unbelievable views. Crystal blue water rested at the base of grand, valiant mountains, and it was absolutely stunning. This Midwestern girl was in awe. While I was most certainly in a beautiful landscape, the walk itself was breathtaking in unexpected ways.

I had already strolled through the neighborhood earlier that week with my boyfriend, Mitch, but he was out golfing on this particular morning, and I still wanted to get some exercise. With bear spray in hand, I jetted out to a nearby loop of houses. Instead of a prayerful, zen walk where I found clarity and heard God’s voice in clear, distinct ways, something else happened.

My heart raced as I explored the neighborhood, each snap of a branch in the woods spiking my adrenaline and shortening my life span ever so slightly. Every scurry or chirp or subtle movement from the animals in the trees stopped me dead in my tracks. I could handle the birds, squirrels, and even deer, but there was something I couldn’t even think about encountering: a bear.

“You have bear spray,” I tried to remind myself, only to end up thinking, “The fact I need to carry bear spray is concerning.” Only a few days earlier, a black bear was sighted not too far from the neighborhood. It’s safe to say I was on guard.

But I had been out and about with Mitch multiple times that week, and we hadn’t encountered anything too terrifying other than a few hummingbirds and deer. We were fine, and I believed I would be, too, if I stuck close to the houses and kept my time in the elements concise.

As the walk continued and I kept stopping at every rustling of leaves and branches, a question surfaced in my internal pool of panic:

Are you letting fear keep you from enjoying the beauty in life? From actually enjoying your life? From going for the things God has called you to go for?

Hmm. Not the exact way I was hoping I’d hear from the Lord, but based on the other fears He had been pointing out in my life recently, I wasn’t too surprised He prompted me with this question. I’ve thought a lot about it since that (borderline) perilous walk.

Was the fear valid on that walk? Yes—there truly were bears in those woods.

Did I need to freeze and panic because of something I could (but probably wouldn’t) encounter? No.

Did I let the fear of what might happen keep me from enjoying the beauty and connecting with God? Absolutely.

Maybe you think I was rash for walking in a place I could have run into a bear, or maybe you think this whole thing is plain silly. Maybe you’re shaking in your boots just reading this (you’re my people!). Wherever you are and whatever you’re thinking, I challenge you to take a deep look at your heart and mind. Are you calling the shots in your life from a Spirit-led, grounded place of faithfulness, or is fear running the show?

There’s a reason God tells us not to fear in scripture. He references fear over 500 times in the Bible. Fear is real. Fear is something we will face. And like my adventure in the woods, a lot of times, fear is justified.

But not only does God mention fear—He tells us not to be afraid. Not to listen to fear more than we listen to Him. Not to let fear keep us small, static, or silenced. He is bigger than all of our fears and concerns, no matter how realistic, probable, or justified they might be.

So here’s a little encouragement, challenge, and prompting for you today:

In a moment when you feel fear, notice something beautiful around you. It’s always there. Take back the moment as a daughter of the King who has overcome.

In a moment of fear or anxiety, declare Joshua 1:9 over yourself. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

In a moment of worrying about something that could happen or go wrong, look up to the Lord and remember that He’s bigger than all your fears. Even if they come to fruition, He is bigger, and He is with you.

In a moment of worry, redirect your thoughts to whatever is honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, or praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8) Don’t let the possibility of what might happen play on a loop—let some wild hope and truth flood into your mind.

Fear is real. There are certainly things we need to be wise and careful about. But that doesn’t mean fear gets the final say in our lives. It doesn’t get to direct our steps or lead our decision-making process. God does. He’s not a God of fear, but a God of love, faithfulness, and strength, and He lives in you today, friend.

Where’s an area you can (or need to) kick fear back and let your faith lead? Beauty and abundance come from dwelling in God’s presence, and I’m oh-so excited and expectant to see you take a step of faith today.

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear. But of power and love and self-control.” -2 Timothy 1:7