March 26, 2026 “Be Not Afraid: Finding Peace in Recovery!”

Christianity has brought healing to people for many years. Before becoming a priest, Bob Dufford felt anxious. He wondered where he would serve and if he was ready for his calling. This may sound familiar to many of us in Recovery. We may ask, “Is anxiety affecting my daily life? Am I able to handle it?”

Father Bob went on a retreat. There, he focused on the angel Gabriel’s message to Mary: “Do not be afraid.” From this, the well-loved song Be Not Afraid began to form in his heart. Today, this song is sung in many churches. Its words continue to comfort people all over the world who struggle with anxiety and fear.

Recovery offers us the same kind of spiritual wisdom found in this song. When we enter Recovery, we may feel anxious because we are asked to let go and begin to heal. This can feel scary and out of our control. Even as we continue in Recovery, anxiety may still come. So what can we do?

I remember when I first began my own Recovery journey. I felt afraid and very vulnerable. It felt like everything inside me was falling apart. One afternoon, I went to a church to sit quietly with Jesus. I asked Him to take away my fear and anxiety. It did not happen right away, but slowly, over time, things began to get better. I still find great comfort in the song “Be Not Afraid.”

Today, when fear and anxiety rise in my heart, I remind myself of this truth: it is not realistic to expect fear to disappear forever. But when it comes, I do not have to let it control me or block my Recovery. I can gently tell myself, “Fear not.”

The song’s refrain brings deep peace: “Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come follow me, and I will give you rest.” These words are important. In the Bible, we see “fear not” many times—over 100 times in the Old Testament and 44 times in the New Testament.

Think about the books you have read, the support groups you have attended, and the talks you have had with family and friends. How often do you hear the same message: “Be not afraid”? These simple words can bring great peace. When we hold onto them, we begin to feel freedom from fear and anxiety.