When you are faced with doing something unfamiliar, do you struggle with fear? Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds were all visited by angels. The scriptures specify that Mary was visited by Gabriel [Luke 1:26-28]. In my mind, he is bigger, more grand, than other angels.
Each time the angel visited someone to proclaim Jesus, he told them “Do not be afraid.” Now one would assume the only reason he would tell them not to be afraid is because they were afraid. Who wouldn’t be? First of all, they had an angel appear before them. I doubt that happened every day, even in Biblical times. Secondly, he was telling Mary and Joseph of a major life change that was coming their way. Fear would be a natural response, yet God did not want them to fear. Why?
God knew His total plan. He knew where He was taking them. He knew what He would require of them and He knew with His help, they would succeed. There was no need to fear because He knew.
Did they know the total plan? No. Did they know where He was taking them, what was required of them or how it would be accomplished? No, but they knew God and they knew He loved them. Perfect love casts out fear [1 John 4:18].
God will not ask you to bear His Son, but He will ask you to trust in Him and go through some experiences that are new and unfamiliar to you. He will ask you to do some things without knowing the end result at the start. He may ask you to go some place you’ve never been. However, when fear comes, you do not have to embrace it. God loves you and you can rest in that love and allow it to cast the fear aside.
God will never ask you to do anything alone. He will always be by your side [Matthew 28:20]. He will never leave you nor forsake you [Joshua 1:5]. We have nothing to fear. He tells us in Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” What more do we need?