What Do You Fear?

We all have moments where we battle fear. We're afraid of what could happen, what other people think of us, what others may do to us or those we love...just to name a few.

When we look at God's Word, we find that fear is present in two ways: a deep reverence and awe due the Lord (Psalm 34:7-11; Proverbs 1:7, 2:2-8, 9:10, 10:27, 14:26-27, 15:33, 16:6, 19:23, 22:4, 23:17; 2 Corinthians 5:11), and an unwanted feeling of danger or dread (Genesis 3:8-10; Joshua 1:9, 14:8; Matthew 6:27, 14:26-31; Mark 4:40; 1 John 4:18). Reverence is essential to knowing and understanding who God is. But the latter definition can interfere with our faith, skew our perspective and, if left unaddressed, possibly lead to disastrous results.

So how do we combat that second type of fear?

First and most importantly, we turn to God and His Word for help. We find in 2 Timothy 1:7 that "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." In Matthew 10:28, Jesus tells us not to fear man but instead "fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Proverbs 29:25 says "The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted." When we revere the Lord, this includes trusting in Him, seeking His help, and remembering His power and might and sovereignty over all things. He will strengthen and deliver us from our fears (Psalm 34:4, 56:3, 112:7; Proverbs 3:25-26; Isaiah 12:2, 41:10, 13; Hebrews 13:6).

Combating fear also involves our focus—is it on what we see in front of us, on our feelings or perceived circumstances? Or is it on Christ, the One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8)...the One in whom we find peace (John 14:27; Philippians 4:7; Colossians 3:15)?

Psalm 27:1 says this: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?" I believe we find in this verse a very significant way to demolish fear: "The Lord is the defense of my life." That's a powerful statement! He alone can truly defend us from danger because He protects our whole beings; our very souls are secure in Him through Christ and His work on our behalf (John 10:7-10; Romans 5:8, 6:23; Galatians 2:20). Psalm 56:10-11 echoes this same sentiment: "In God, whose word I praise, In the Lord, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Notice that God's word is praised not just once but two times—likely for emphasis—and that trust is mentioned next, leading to a rejection of fear. Looking to God's Word is a sure remedy for counteracting the dread that attempts to creep into our lives. And the more we look to His Word, the more we learn to trust in Him more fully and deeply, which keeps us confident in His unwavering ability to hold us steady through all of life's ups and downs.

In the grand scheme of things, Christ has already won (1 Corinthians 15:57)! So no matter what someone says or does to you, it is ultimately futile and bears no effect on your spiritual position held securely in the Father's hands (John 10:27-30). Psalm 23 reminds us that even when we walk through dark seasons of life, the Lord remains with us (23:4). The following lyrics found in the song "Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me" spoke deeply to my heart in relation to this truth:

"To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me

Through the deepest valley He will lead

Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome

Yet not I, but through Christ in me

No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven

The future sure, the price it has been paid

For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon

And He was raised to overthrow the grave"

We can be confident that because of Christ in us as believers, fear does not have the final say in our lives. Christ gives us hope: "This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells], where Jesus has entered [in advance] as a forerunner for us, having become a High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 6:19-20 AMP)

If you are struggling with fear today, I encourage you to meditate on the words of Jesus found in John 16:33: "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."