“Do not be afraid; keep on speaking.” These words imply that Paul was, in fact, afraid and tempted to be silent. God’s remedy for Paul’s anxiety wasn’t a change in the city’s politics, but a promise of His presence: “For I am with you.”
The principle of the “Quiet Center” reminds us that courage isn’t the absence of fear; it is the presence of God. You don’t need to know how the next year in “Corinth” will play out. You only need the bread for today. When the night feels heavy, lean into the stillness and hear the Spirit whispering that you are not alone in the fray.
I can recall numerous occasions when I was anxious and fearful, and all I had to do was center my thoughts on God’s presence, and the fear went away. Jesus promised that “each day has enough trouble of its own.” In Psalm 23, David said, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil because You are with me.
No matter our circumstances, Jesus is always with us.