Abram’s story had been one of faith and worship. God had promised him blessings, greatness, and descendants who would become a nation. He had responded by building two altars to worship the Lord. He was walking toward Canaan, toward God’s promise.
And then famine came.
“Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. 11 As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.” 14 When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman. 15 And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. 16 He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. 17 But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. 18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” 20 Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.” (Genesis 12 v 10-20)
This wouldn’t be the last time Abram stumbled. He would make strikingly similar mistakes again. Yet he remains our model of faith—not because he was flawless, but because he kept returning to God.
Abram’s failure teaches us something crucial about anxiety and decision-making:
Anxiety can redirect us away from God’s path entirely. Fear drove Abram to Egypt—the very place that would later symbolise bondage and oppression for his descendants. When we’re anxious, we risk fleeing toward the opposite of what God intends for us.
Anxiety tempts us to find security in the wrong places. Sometimes the things we run to in fear are the very things God is trying to free us from. Abram sought safety in Egypt; his descendants would spend centuries desperate to escape it.
Anxiety rarely affects only us. Abram’s fear-driven choices put others at risk. Sarai faced humiliation and danger. Pharaoh’s entire household suffered under God’s judgment. Our panicked decisions often create collateral damage in the lives of those around us.
When anxiety rises, slow down. Bring every anxious thought to God before making any decision. Abram’s legacy isn’t his perfection—it’s his pattern of returning to the altar, of coming back to God even after failure.
Be very slow to act when you’re afraid. The decision made in panic today may become the prison you’re desperate to escape tomorrow.
Missions Paul 