Don't be afraid, just believe

In the Gospel of Mark chapter 5, we meet a father named Jairus—desperate, afraid, and clinging to hope. His daughter is dying, and he turns to Jesus for help. But before Jesus even reaches her, news arrives: “Your daughter is dead.” The heartbreak is instant. The hope he had is crushed.

Then Jesus says something unexpected: “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

As a counsellor, I see how fear grips people—fear of loss, failure, rejection, or not being enough. Like Jairus, many of us walk through seasons of deep uncertainty, where hope is fragile and worry feels overwhelming.

In those moments, Jesus’s words echo across time: “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

This isn’t a call to deny pain or suppress emotion. Jesus doesn’t dismiss the grief—He steps into it. He walks with Jairus through the fear, right into the place of mourning, and brings life where there was loss.

In the counselling room, I often witness how healing begins not with instant solutions, but with the courage to trust—trust in the process, in relationship, and ultimately, in a loving God who walks with us through the darkest moments.

Mark 5 reminds us that faith doesn’t mean we won’t feel afraid. It means we choose to keep walking, even with trembling hearts, trusting that we are not alone.

So if you’re in a season of fear or uncertainty, hear the invitation: Don’t be afraid; just believe. Not because everything is under your control—but because the One who calms storms and raises the dead walks beside you.

Meet the author Nada Appleby

Hi, I'm Nada. I love working with individuals across the life span helping them to safely explore their inner worlds so as to connect with God more fully and get to know the gifts and strengths he has given them in service to others. I try to bring into every session a glimpse of the compassion, love and acceptance that God has so freely given me. Visit Nada's page to learn more.