“Do not be afraid, for I have bought you and made you free. I have called you by name and you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1 (emphasis mine)
It was a day like any other — except it wasn’t.
I was lying on my couch after an early morning shift at Starbucks, and I heard my mom reciting verses of healing over herself. Her calm whisper soothed me into sleep, a rhythmic lullaby I could not resist. Somewhere in between sleep and consciousness, I heard these five words:
The year of no fear.
I awoke — my hair tangled, imprinting against my cheek — and I tried to grasp the strange words I’d heard uttered in the middle of my dream. I could not shake them.
“The year of no fear,” I murmured.
What would that look like? A year of no fear? A year without having to be afraid?
But I was afraid — I am afraid. There are so many things to fear . . . aren’t there? I’m certain you know those things well. I could hand you a list right now, a list filled with fears and insecurities and worries, and the list would be long and would indefinitely grow longer. And I believe you probably have your own list, too.
I catalogued the fears in my head, tangible ones I had previously tasted and others I was sure would come to pass. Those wild and ferocious fears snarled at me, and I closed my eyes hearing the words again:
The year of no fear.
I echoed the phrase, breathing the words in like a drug, and the peace that usurped me was beyond understanding. In that moment I realized something: it’s not about not being afraid, but about trusting in a God who is bigger and greater than even our biggest and greatest fear.
So this? This is an invitation for you to live your own year of no fear.
What does that look like? Well, I don’t know. But I’ll be right there, living it out with you.
Jesus says over and over that we don’t need to fear, and yet I live my life afraid. But I’m tired of this. I don’t want to be afraid, I want to be free.
Join me, as together we discover this notion of not needing to fear — click here to view a video invitation from me to you, and to learn more about the year of no fear.
So as this new year begins, as you choose your One Word or make a resolution or two, I hope you remember this: So do not fear, for I am with you. (Isaiah 41:10)
Leave a Comment
T says
I’m intrigued! I’d like to watch the video invitation, but the link is broken! Sorry!
T says
Working fine now! thanks!
Ifeoma Samuel says
Hi Aliza, Amen to the year of no fear. God Bless you for sharing.
http://purposefulandmeaningful.blogspot.com/
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Aliza,
You said it so well…we WILL be afraid, but the good news is that God is greater than our biggest fear. I used to think that I was sinning when I was afraid, but now I realize that I was being human. We all fear, but it’s that taking it one step further and laying our fears at the foot of the cross that really challenges us. As I’ve gotten older, I can now look back and realize that many of the things I feared never came to pass. I spent a lot of time being anxious and afraid about nothing. I realized that I, in God’s power, needed to take back my life from Satan’s ugly schemes that kept me wrapped in a ball of fear. It’s been a process, but I feel like I have grown significantly out of fear and into freedom. If we ask God for this gift…He is faithful to answer. Absolutely beautiful post!
Blessings,
Bev
Aliza Latta says
Bev, you’re such a gift. Everything you said I full heartedly agreed with. Thanks for always showing up. You make me less afraid. xo
Brynna says
My “word of the year” this past year was “courage”. It didn’t mean I wasn’t afraid, but when I was afraid I trusted that God was in control and I pushed through with courage that he had given to me. I love this campaign!
Jenni DeWitt says
Yes! I love that. I have felt God whispering “trust” to my heart lately, and I’m starting to understand that trust is the opposite of fear. How confirming to read this post today and these comments. It sounds like God is whispering similar things to you. A year without fear sounds so peaceful and liberating.
Aliza Latta says
I know, and that’s what we want, isn’t it? Peace and liberation? He’s the Prince of Peace after all… I’m so glad he’s whispering “trust” to you. Praying that over you right now.
Aliza Latta says
Love that.
Joanne says
Choosing a word for the year in 2014 (gentle) had such a significant impact that I decided to do it again for 2015, and also choose a verse. My word is peace (as opposed to troubled), and my verse is John 14:27. I’ve been seeing a lot of “do not fear” posts this morning, so I think I might be in good company! 🙂
Sandra says
Hi Aliza,
I have been praying for a Perfect Word for 2015…. The Lord struck me with two through yours FEAR NOT!
I don’t really know what that will mean for this year for me … But I am willing to explore it with God on my side. Thank You!
Aliza Latta says
I don’t know what it will mean for any of us, but I’m so excited to find out! xo
Erin says
So proud of you, Aliza. Constantly in awe that the Lord would bless me with such wonderful, beautiful friends.
Aliza Latta says
Love to you always, Erin.
Beth Willis Miller says
Amen ❤️ All in for a year of no fear…trusting… http://bethwillismiller.blogspot.com/2014/12/a-word-for-2015trusting.html
Aliza Latta says
Glad to hear you’re all in, Beth.
Beth says
Love this!!! Going into my third year of cancer treatments,I choose to not fear,I know too well He is with me all the way!! My word this year is “Burst”,, because I just want to Burst with a Joy for The Lord, and all he has done for me,and brought me through. He has given me a chance to shine for Him like never before, and I want everyone to know he is in control. Happy new year gals!!!
Penny says
I wish you well as you undergo your treatment.
Blessings,
Penny
Beth Williams says
Prayers for you as you go through treatments. May God give you His peace and contentment~! Know that we are praying for a miracle of complete healing!
Blessings!
Aliza Latta says
Happy new year, Beth! I am praying for you right now for full healing and absolute peace and no fear. You are so loved, so loved, so loved.
Michelle says
This is exactly what I wrote in my post this morning! I am #takingbackmyhealthin2015 and #nofear! This is confirmation!
Aliza Latta says
So glad to hear this. xo
Penny says
Aliza,
I watched the video after reading your post and it was amazing, well done and thank-you .
Yesterday I was faced with a situation that at first left me fearful but then I began to feel reassured and I knew that I did n’t need to be. So even if fear is our automatic reaction we can overcome it by leaving it with the Lord.
So yes I will try and make my best effort in 2015 to not be fearful knowing that all will be well with trust and faith.
In hope that you all have a blessed New Year,
Penny
Aliza Latta says
Yes! I am with you, Penny. A lot of things make me fearful, but Jesus is beside us, and goes before us. Have a wonderful new year.
jan loyd says
This must be what God is saying to many of us. It was the theme of my Advent devotions with my small Bible study group. I also just finished a Post Christmas blog series on that exact phrase, “Fear Not!”
Amen, dear sisters!
http://www.abranchinthevine.com/post-christmas-comfort-fear-not-i-am-with-you/
lorna says
Too many things bothered me and I am so fragile and fearful…but Yes, God is greater than any obstacles…and He is a Faithful God! Asking for prayers for my bro-in-law Aaron who is suffering now with his kidney ailment…God bless us!
Aliza Latta says
Praying for Aaron now.
Tyra says
Yes, I touch and agree with you…no fear. I left fear behind in 2014 and look forward to courageously running the race set before me in 2015.
Aliza Latta says
So excited to hear this, Tyra!
Beth Williams says
2014 was a year filled with fear for me! My aging dad had many health issues, hubby almost lost his job, my job changed drastically, etc. Through it all I was fearful–but also very prayerful! We prayed over each situation.
In 2015 I plan to be super courageous and less fearful! Each sticky situation I encounter I will pray about-let go and let God lead!!
Blessings and Happy New year to all!
Aliza Latta says
And even when you are afraid, we can lean into who Jesus is.
Happy new year, Beth.
Sarah coleman says
I’m with you Aliza. A year of no fear. When planes fall and terrorists take a cafe captive. When sickness strikes. And when something threatens my children. Especially when something threatens my children. I will trust. God is bigger.
Aliza Latta says
Yes, Sarah. Yes. God is bigger.
Vickie Shaver says
Love this! I’ve been walking a path with the Lord over the last few years that has led me deep into this challenge of trust vs. fear. It started with a terrible trial and that verse from Isaiah! As I ended 2014 I read a Christian classic that I’d previously never heard of called “Hinds Feet on High Places”. If you haven’t read it I highly recommend it given your 2015 focus 🙂 My word this year is “joy”!
Cheryl says
Awesome and so fitting for my word of the year “EXPOSED”. Its hoing to be a great year!!!
silvia says
Thank you for this post. I feel that my word for 2015 is Fearlessness and honestly, I was afraid to even accept it. I need to trust God is all things in my life. I look forward to your blogs and posts that will encourage me as I embark in this journey. Be Blessed!
Aliza Latta says
I’m so glad, Silvia!
Kelsea says
I love this too! I immediately thought, “I want to be a part of this year of no fear!” but then I paused. My first instinct told me that it would be too hard, how many times had I tried to break this anxiety, this worry only to have it come back again? Wasn’t I setting myself up for another failure? I don’t know what this year will hold, and saying that I’m going to approach it with no fear…..well that’s crazy. And then I realized-THAT was fear talking. I have let it run my life because it’s comfortable, because it’s familiar (sounds crazy, but some of you may know what I’m talking about!). But that’s not what God says. God has been calling me to step out into my identity that can only be found in Him. And it doesn’t include fear, just love. So 2015 being the year of no fear? I’m ready for it.
Aliza Latta says
When I first heard these words, I thought “this is going to be way too hard!”. I’m so proud you’re pushing past the fear!
Linda McClellan says
I had already decided on a word for the year and it is TRUST. In another group of Christian art journalist we did something similar. I know when I pray and it’s not getting much easier, not at all. I feel like there is no one there and if He hears me and I do turn it over to Him in a short period of time it’s not happening soon enough so I take it back and wear myself out trying to do it on my own. I need to put my trust totally in the Lord and receive the peace from leaving it in His hands. That would be the most wonderful thing to me, I love the Lord and I KNOW he can handle all and this year working on my word by study and journaling, I WILL improve!
Diane says
Fear is the ultimate bondage, satan encourages fear as a lifestyle, because your life become ineffective and tormented, when you are jailed by fear, joy and peace become a distant memory and guilt about your fear, then defines you relationship with your Father, who waits patiently to give us all
we need to live free in His love. My word for 2015 is trust, cancer check ups post chemo in His hands!
Aliza Latta says
My mom had breast cancer, so I am praying for those cancer check ups right now, Diane!
Marty says
So cool that I found this post because “no fear” is my word (words) for 2015. God-thing, right? I think YES! 🙂
This is an excellent post, and you are a great writer…so insightful for one so young, but wisdom doesn’t know age. I love how you use your words to bring glory to God and encouragement to others. Keep it up! You are a blessing to many…I’m just sure of it!
Aliza Latta says
Totally a God thing. Love that.
Karen Brown says
Amen! It’s not about us conquering our fear… it’s about knowing Jesus is bigger. Thanks for your beautiful post.
Rachel says
Thank you for your video . How true, He is the root to being brave in a world and out of control fear based life He makes the difference. Our challenge this year is to allow and lean into Christ , whatever our #oneword is we need Him . Than you Aliza my word is brave .
Aliza Latta says
I love this, “He is the root to being brave”. Thank you, Rachel.
Rachel Q says
I would go along with that whole idea of a year with no fear. My one word for 2014 was Courage and now for 2015 God has led me to the word Trust. I can see how these go hand in hand. I was looking over my last years writings and I could see how God was growing me in the area of courage and stepping out and with each step taken of courage I needed to trust Him that He was with me in it and I was trusting Him to bringing me through it.
We’ll see what God does in this year. I’m looking forward to the adventure! Here we go!
Aliza Latta says
So glad you’re joining the journey.
Donna says
Happy New Year, Aliza! I am sooo happy I read this post right now. Over the past few days, I’ve been asking God about my word for 2015. Last year, it was all about letting go, giving up control and waiting. God is taking me through a season of waiting and He has been teaching me what it truly means to wait. Waiting isn’t passive, it is active. While we wait for whatever it may be, we need to remember that God is working. Waiting doesn’t mean sitting on our butts and doing nothing, it means staying focused on Him through prayer and faith, giving our whole heart to Him and trusting that He has a plan for our lives; a plan so perfect, our minds wouldn’t be able to wrap around it.
So my words for 2015 are: “Keep waiting, pray without ceasing and let God take over.”
Sounds simple enough. Patience has never been my strong suit. But I know that God is working on me and through me.
Blessings,
Donna
Aliza Latta says
Love your words for 2015, Donna!
Cristina Neagu says
This was the perfect message that I needed to hear and read this morning. Thank you
Hayley Holbrook says
God indeed is watching. I am in so much in distress this morning with my present circumstance of dealing with family issues. I feel so hopeless and most of all with fear and full of anxiety asking myself will I make it to the end. But then God reminded me of this promises “Fear not for He is with us” My husband just recently passed away and taking the full responsibilities of my 3 girls is not easy. It seems my own love ones are my own enemies. God help me…
Aliza Latta says
I am so deeply sorry, Hayley. I am praying for you right now, that you would tangibly feel the love and strength of Jesus surround you. He is holding you, Hayley. He sees you.
Vanessa Carter says
Wow! This message was absolutely perfectly timely.
Blessings and Thanksgiving,
Vanessa
sharyn says
Great post Aliza:),
Trust continues to be a word for 2015 and when i choose place my trust in Jesus the fruit is a life lived free from fear.
Trust and No Fear are my words for 2015.
Thank you Holy Spirit for your enabling to live free in Jesus.
Shelley Johnson says
I would love to participate in your 2015 No Fear Journey and have attempted numerous times to send email invite to some friends but the site will not send – it keeps saying ERROR, image verification not valid , the only image present is small * and I have used it over & over.
Also, not user friendly at all, had to input names many times because it kept telling me name wasn’t there or didn’t equal email input.
All to no avail- came up short- nothing.
Aliza Latta says
Hello Shelley! This is the website for it: http://theyearofnofear.com/ Could you perhaps send that link to your friends? Let me know if I can help in any other way!
Yen says
Wow! You don’t know how much this blessed me so and how timely it is to read this. Such an encouraging word! Thank you for sharing.
Germaine says
Yen, I am praying for you. May the Lord give you comfort and encouragement as He gives you the desires of your heart. Blessings !!
Germaine says
I want to share an insight the Lord gave me concerning fear. It was one of those early morning revelations, you know the ones I am talking about. He said, fear comes as a result of not feeling safe. Feeling safe is a human necessity. 1 John 4:18 says perfect love casts out fear. God’s love is the only perfect love. When you know how much you are loved by God you will feel safe and the fear will go away. He showed me the scripture in Psalms 91: 1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;He is my God, and I trust Him.
Notice how is says when I find rest in the shadow of the Almighty, I am safe. That place of rest is knowing how much you are loved by Him. It is believing that He is good and wants to good to you. He wants to keep you safe. In the book of Hebrews chapter 4 He says that the Israelites were unable to enter into His rest because of unbelief. It wasn’t that they didn’t believe He was God, their unbelief resulted because of what they believed *about* Him. They didn’t believe He was a good God. Otherwise they never would have told Moses, “where there not enough graves in Egypt that you brought us out here in the wilderness to die.” They didn’t believe God was good and they didn’t believe He desired to keep them safe. These are just a few of the insights I received from the Lord. Hope they bless you as much as they did me. <3
Aliza Latta says
Thank you so much, Germaine!
Betsy says
Little did I know when I clicked on today’s email from DaySpring Devotions, subject- 2015: A year of Prayer and No Fear, it would bring me to this inspirational blog post. In the past I had not considered a word for the year. However, after reading this post and the comments attached, I have come to realize a word for the year is something I need in my life and the words Fear Not could not be more appropriate. So as I face each day of 2015, Fear Not will be on my lips and in my heart. Thank you, Aliza and commenters, for sharing your thoughts and feelings.
Mary L says
I am just coming out of a very oppressive marriage.
This has been a very hard time, with lots of bad confrontations. Lots of fear!!! And I thought it would never end. But God has held me close! And I have had lots of friends, ladies I barely knew, praying for me!
In 2 days I can say, “It is finished” and I feel the fear leaving me!
Thank you for this blog – it is, of course, God’s perfect timing. I will claim 2015 as the year of NO FEAR. And I will try to remember, when fear raises it’s head to oppress me, that God has not given me a spirit of fear!
Blessings to you and all the ladies you will impact. Thank you.
Aliza Latta says
I am praying for you right now, Mary. God does indeed have perfect timing, and that’s right, no spirit of fear here. xo
Barbara says
This is the answer to my prayers about my word for 2015. I live some days immobilized by my unspoken fears. They are from all areas of my life. As I write these words I realize I have never said any of this outside my heart before, not even to myself. My God is real and I believe He can do anything. I don’t know why I have never allowed myself to open this HUGE part of me to Him. My words for this year……FEAR NOT!!!!!! Thanks for this post. God Bless.
Aliza Latta says
I’m so glad those are your words for this year!
Carmen Sterba says
Aliza, I was pleased to see your message today, for I got the word ‘Fearless’ for the New Year. I knew it was from the Lord because I have never thought of myself in such a term. I know I am courageous at times, but I can only be fearless by trusting the Lord as I accept the unknown. This year in my late sixties, I’ll be moving 7,000 miles away. It is good to know He will always be with me!
Aliza Latta says
Moving is hard! I’m so glad you’re trusting Jesus in this new and exciting (albeit scary!) journey.
Rebecca says
YES, PRAISE YOU LORD GOD EVERLOVING HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK YOU JESUS, AMEN!!!!
Thank you Aliza, for sharing GOD’S WORD AND REVELATION TO us; PRAISE GOD FOR HE ALONE IS MORE THAN WORTHY OF MORE THAN All Of our HIGHEST PRAISES, IN JESUS’ MOST PRECIOUS NAME, AMEN!!!
PRAISE GOD FOR I TRULY NEEDED THIS, IN JESUS’ MOST PRECIOUS NAME, AMEN!!!!
MAY GOD BLESS!!!
IN JESUS’ LOVE,
With Prayers and heartfelt gratitude, Rebecca.
Aliza Latta says
So glad you heard what you needed to hear. xx
HILDA says
THANK YOU FOR THOSE WORDS TODAY. FEAR HAS ENCOMPASSED ME BUT THIS YEAR WILL TAKE THIS AWAY AS I TURN IT OVER GO GOD.
Aliza Latta says
Praying the fear encompasses you no longer, Hilda. Our God is so much bigger.
Teresa says
I read somewhere that the words “Fear not” appear in the Bible 365 times. One for each day in our year. A reminder that He is with us every second of every day, that He is our shelter, our strength, our advocate, our provider, our deliverer – whatever we need in our lives, HE IS.
thanks for this reminder
Aliza Latta says
I read that somewhere too! Love it.
Adenike says
It’s amazing that this is the exact passage God gave me for the year 2015. He just confirmed His words to me. Thanks a lot. God bless you
Aliza Latta says
I’m so thrilled to hear this!!
Alison Arias says
Thank you. I will join you in this journey! How can I make sure to get your posts?
Aliza Latta says
Hi Alison! You can sign up right here to get the Year of No Fear straight into your inbox 🙂 https://madmimi.com/signups/127471/join
Shannan Martin says
It’s happening!!!!!!
Aliza Latta says
It is! It is! xoxoxoxo!
Jennie Afman Dimkoff says
What a blessing you are, Aliza. You were an encouragement to me and I am going to share your blog with my daughter & daughter-in-law and on my FB wall if that’s OK with you. 🙂
Aliza Latta says
Of course it is! Thanks, Jennie! xo
Jackie Bahr says
This is so encouraging, Aliza! I recently discovered that I have Lyme Disease and I am starting treatment for it. I don’t know what my future holds but I know God will get me through it! A friend sent me the link to your page, and I have now adopted “The Year of No Fear” as my motto for 2015. I shared your link on my blog in hopes of reaching others. Thanks for sharing!