Have you ever noticed that our minds can sometimes be the worst? Here’s the scenario: You are a leader of a group of people. One of your employees or clients sends you an email or text. “Can I meet with you?” That’s it. No other context. No other information. Just a request to meet. Immediately, your mind starts spinning. What has happened recently with them? Has something gone wrong? Did I say something wrong? Did I do something wrong? You spend lots of time reliving all the past conversations, interactions, and decisions.
You set up the time and place for the meeting. The meeting comes and the conversation starts and it’s really nothing. Nothing is wrong. You spent all that time worrying about what was going to take place and the result of all of that: wasted time and energy.
As human beings, it seems that many times we naturally fear the worst. We create the worst-case scenarios in our minds and invite problems that may not even really exist.
In the Old Testament Jacob had done some shady things to his father and brother, Esau. He had moved from his hometown away from everything he had known to an area with his uncle. Years have passed and Jacob feels the calling from God to return back to his family. He has not seen his older brother since he stole his birthright and his blessing.
“Then Jacob sent messengers ahead to his brother, Esau, who was living in the region of Seir in the land of Edom. He told them, ‘Give this message to my master Esau: ‘Humble greetings from your servant Jacob. Until now I have been living with Uncle Laban, and now I own cattle, donkeys, flocks of sheep, and goats, and many servants, both men and women. I have sent these messengers to inform my lord of my coming, hoping that you will be friendly to me.’ After delivering the message, the messengers returned to Jacob and reported, ‘We met your brother, Esau, and he is already on his way to meet you–with an army of 400 men!’ Jacob was terrified at the news. He divided his household, along with the flocks and herds and camels, into two groups. He thought, ‘If Esau meets one group and attacks it, perhaps the other group can escape.’” Genesis 32:3-8
Jacob was finally heading home. God had promised to be with him, to bless him, and to bring him back safely. Yet the moment Jacob heard that Esau was approaching with four hundred men, fear took over.
Scripture says, “Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed.” In an instant, his mind rushed ahead of reality. Before a single word had been exchanged, before Esau’s intentions were known, Jacob was already preparing for disaster. He divided his family and possessions, planning for loss before loss ever arrived.
Isn’t that what fear does?
Fear has a powerful voice. It fills in gaps with worst-case scenarios. It reminds us of past wounds and convinces us they are about to repeat themselves. Jacob remembered the brother he deceived years earlier, and fear told him nothing had changed. Fear assumed the past would define the future.
But notice something important: God was already there. Just verses earlier, Jacob encountered angels—clear evidence of God’s presence and protection. Yet fear still dominated his thoughts. Even with divine reassurance, fear found a way to rewrite the story.
We do the same. God gives us promises, reminders of His faithfulness, and even moments of peace—but fear rushes in and says, “Yes, but what if…?” We rehearse conversations that haven’t happened, brace ourselves for rejection that hasn’t come, and grieve outcomes that may never exist.
Jacob’s fear was real, but it wasn’t prophetic.
The reunion with Esau didn’t unfold the way Jacob imagined. Instead of violence, there was embrace. Instead of punishment, there was grace. The worst-case scenario never arrived—but fear had already made Jacob suffer as though it had.
Fear steals twice: once in our imagination, and again if hardship actually comes.
Genesis 32 reminds us that fear feels convincing, but it is not always truthful. Preparing for the worst may feel wise, but it can quietly reveal how much we’re trusting our fears instead of God’s promises.
What story is fear telling you right now? Is it rooted in God’s Word—or in old wounds and unanswered questions?
God is already ahead of you, even when fear insists otherwise.
This devotional is written by Amy Carrico.
Last Updated on February 20, 2026
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