What we feared when we were children is likely pretty different from our fears and concerns as adults. Chances are, a lot of what scared us as kids was irrational: monsters under the bed, hot lava on the living room floor and quicksand that could be anywhere.

While you’ve likely outgrown some silly and imaginary fears, other fears based on trauma or difficult experiences can linger. In a broken world where sin affects everything, the potential for fear is all around us.

When we look to the Bible — God’s Word that lights our paths — we find comfort and guidance. Our loving heavenly Father provides us with ways to exchange fear for something so much better: true faith in Him.

But what if you didn’t have Scripture in your language to turn to in difficult times? How would you combat fear with faith? For millions of people around the world, this is their reality: They are waiting to know God, His love and His plans for them in their own language.

As you read through the following Scripture passages, let yourself be encouraged about trusting God and relying on His strength. And also discover why it’s so important for people to have the Bible in their own language — so it can transform hearts, lives and even entire communities from the inside out.

Instead of Fear, God Gives His Presence

“This is my command — be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

In Joshua 1, God chose Joshua to replace Moses as leader of God’s people. Not only was he the new leader of the Hebrew nation, but he was also being tasked with an impossible mission — take possession of a land full of strong, gigantic enemies.

To say he had some fears was an understatement. But in exchange for that fear, Joshua was going to gain something far stronger: The Almighty God was promising to go with him, to have his back, everywhere he went.

The same God is still at work in people’s hearts and lives today, guiding them through difficult circumstances. This is especially true in the Bible translation movement; there are often areas of the world where people face persecution and trials for following God and translating His Word.

But God is at work, drawing people to Himself and transforming them through His life-giving Word.

Trusting God’s Presence: Pastor Bennett’s Story

Pastor Bennett Marona has had countless reasons to mourn. As a South Sudanese man working in ministry, he knows what it means to persevere through trials and suffering.

“I was almost killed, but God saved my life,” he said. “I think it was God’s plan, not just that I remain alive but that I complete this huge work that he set in front of me.” Bennett continued, “Our people have been longing to see the Word of God in our language. We went through a lot of different challenges.”

Bennett speaks Baka, a minority language used by about 26,000 people. He got started in Bible translation in 1992, the same year that two Wycliffe linguists joined the Baka New Testament translation project. The Baka project had actually begun years earlier but stalled due to increasing instability caused by South Sudan’s civil unrest. Thousands of South Sudanese, including Bennett’s family and the Baka community, were forced to evacuate to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

One night about halfway to the DRC, while they were sleeping, they heard gunshots. The crowds leapt up and ran, but Bennett heard a voice speak directly to him, telling him to take a different route. Later he learned that hundreds of those who’d gone the opposite way had run directly into an ambush, and they were killed.

God led Bennett through the rest of the journey this way. “Whatever direction I thought of going, we’d go there safely,” he said.

His family eventually settled into a refugee camp in the DRC, but the trials and struggles remained. Pastor Bennett was even held captive during his time there. He said:

He continued: “All the time I prayed, ‘God, speed this work so that they have a Bible and read Your words, so that they go to heaven when the time comes for them.’”

Thus the work of Bible translation continued until thousands of Baka speakers in South Sudan rejoiced when, after 30 years of perseverance, they received the whole New Testament in Baka!

When people have the Word of God in their own language, they are able to persevere through difficulties and trials, relying on God’s promises and His presence. Pastor Bennett explained the power of Bible translation and his relationship with God this way:

Instead of Fear, God Calls Us to Pray

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” — John 14:27 (NIV)

Before Jesus was betrayed, arrested and ultimately crucified, He spent time giving His disciples instructions and reassurances. He knew that in the days to come, they would face doubts and uncertainties.

In the midst of their fear, one of Jesus’ promises to His disciples was that God would send them the Holy Spirit as their helper and guide: “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative — that is, the Holy Spirit — he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you” (John 14:26, NLT).

The same Holy Spirit is still at work today, guiding us through our problems and trials. Those struggles can feel overwhelming at times, especially when so many difficulties seem to be all around us. Plus we have access to an overwhelming amount of news and information about the many issues and needs of our day — and sometimes that overload incites fear and anxiety. So as believers, what are we to do when the weight of this world seems to pummel us on all sides? We pray.

Through the power of prayer, we can replace worry and anxiety with God’s awesome, unexplainable peace.

Praying and Worshipping Shape Our Faith

Scripture gives us straightforward instructions on what to do in the midst of our fear and anxiety: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, NLT).

Here are a few practical ways that you can refocus your heart and mind on prayer:

1. Pray through the news. Being so connected to events around the world can feel emotionally exhausting. But reframing the way we approach receiving news allows us to surrender our worries to God while also intentionally lifting up issues, events and communities that need to experience His healing and love in tangible ways. As we pray for His will to be done and His glory to be made known, we can walk confidently through life with the knowledge that He is victorious and will ultimately bring complete healing to this world.


2. Pray Scripture back to God. How do you pray when you don’t have the words? When we use God’s own words by praying Scripture, we’re aligning ourselves with His heart and praying according to His will. What better way is there to give our prayer life new meaning? So when words fail you, open up the Bible and allow God’s words to be your prayer.


3. Pray for Bible translation during your daily routine. What if you could make a difference in the lives of people who are waiting for God’s Word without traveling across the world or altering your daily routine? Whether you’re brushing your teeth, commuting to work or making dinner, you can use the time you have to make an eternal difference.


4. Join the Wycliffe Prayer Community. Link arms with believers around the world and lift up communities and Bible translation projects! Our Wycliffe Prayer Community invites you to come alongside the global Church, get timely updates from the field and pray for active Bible translation projects.

Instead of Fear, God Calls Us to Action

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)

There are over 70 verses that plainly say “don’t be afraid” in the Bible, depending on the version you use. Those verses and God’s promises are clear — and also comforting and empowering.

But what if they weren’t clear to you? What would it be like to not have those verses to comfort and empower you when you’re going through struggles?

In addition to prayer, God calls us to action — to get involved, wholeheartedly, in what He is doing around the world to bring people into a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.

The work of Bible translation offers us a front-row seat to see people’s lives transformed when they encounter Jesus through Scripture in their language. You can join in through praying, giving, advocating and even serving!

We might find ourselves in a position similar to Joshua — about to take on something intimidating. Or we might be in a totally different set of circumstances that trigger fear, like Pastor Bennett Marona. So how do we deal with them and exchange them? By laying down fear and picking up the goodness, power and peace that come from trusting in God’s promises.

If we read Genesis and Revelation, we know the beginning and the end are more than points on a timeline: They represent the person of Jesus Christ — the Alpha and the Omega, the author and finisher of our faith. He will one day banish all fear altogether!

Until that day, we can keep laying down the fears that threaten us, and we can take up God’s goodness, power and peace for us instead.

Track the Progress: Vision 2025

Around the world, Vision 2025 — a God-sized goal to see a translation program in progress in every language still needing one by the year 2025 — is being accomplished. Track the progress and sign up for weekly updates that will keep you inspired and encouraged by the latest news!

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