Christians all over the world just celebrated the resurrection of Jesus.

As I was preparing to lead services this year one of the details in the story that struck me was the description of the women outside the tomb who had just learned about the resurrection:

“So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples” (Matthew 28:8).

Afraid yet filled with joy.

Maybe they were afraid because they had seen and experience a lot, including the torture and cruel death of their friend and leader. They had seen an earthquake, an angel and rugged, well-armed guards.

And at the same time they were filled with joy. They learned Jesus was alive again—and they were about to see him personally a few seconds later.

Here’s the thing. Fear may be inside us, but it doesn’t define us.

For them. And for you.

There was a young boy being treated for leukemia. Someone referred to him as a cancer patient. In response he said, “I may be a cancer patient, but I’m more than a cancer patient too; I am a child of God.”

He had cancer, but he refused to let it define him.

Do you have fear? It’s okay to admit it. It’s good to be honest. But it doesn’t need to define you. As followers of a risen Redeemer, we are defined by him.

Fear may be inside us, but it doesn’t define us.

By Matthew Ruttan

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.