There is no other emotion contained in the soul of a man or woman more overwhelming and more debilitating than that of fear. Oftentimes, the fear is as real and damaging as the thing we fear and has the same effect on our bodies. Fear is a crushing emotion with a relentless pursuit to ruin us.
Whatever you’re going through, you’re not alone. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV).
Scripture tells us that God does not give us a spirit of fear, yet nobody can deny that we still have much fear within us. Scripture tells us to be courageous and not to fear, but we still do. There is so much to be afraid of that it seems fear never has to look far to find a reason to come upon us.
Don’t let the fear of the future ruin the joy of the day. “Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you’” (Isaiah 35:4 NLT).
Fear is a hindrance to God because it causes us not to trust Him. When we fear, we are telling God that He cannot help us in the situation. Whether our fear is of pain or of trouble, it is always founded on the notion that God is a distant God and not truly with us there at that moment.
The further from God, the greater the fear. “The Lord himself will go before you. He will be with you. He will not leave you or forget you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t worry.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 ICB).
The Lord Jesus knew we would be afraid because He knew the troubles we would face in this world. Jesus never said life would be easy, but He did say we can rest in the fact that He has overcome the world. No matter what trouble we may face, we can rest knowing He has won out for eternity.
Don’t focus on the troubles in this world but on the promises born out of heaven. The Lord Jesus taught, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NKJV).
When you become fearful, this is the time you need to press into the Lord even more. You must learn many scriptures that will teach you to overcome fear by being overcome by the power of God. We don’t have to fear unless we want to, and who would want to be overcome with fear?
Don’t fear what’s ahead, and just trust Him to get you through it. “You will not leave in a hurry, running for your lives. For the Lord will go ahead of you; yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind” (Isaiah 52:12 NLT).
It is not wrong to have fear rise up within you but only if you allow it to remain. We are called to be courageous, and this doesn’t mean we will not have fear but only that we refuse to let fear be more powerful in our lives than the Lord Almighty.
No matter how bad things look around you, just remember that He is with you. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me” (Psalm 23:4-5 NKJV).
Don’t run from your fear because it will never stop chasing you. Instead, with God at your side, face your fear and let it know that God won’t ever leave you or forsake you. When once you know that God has you, the things that are trying to get you never will.
Don’t be afraid of everything that can go wrong, but trust that the Lord can make everything alright. “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You” (Psalm 56:3 NASB).
Give your fear to God and let Him pour His strength upon you. The more you are in His presence, the more you realize that nothing can touch your eternal being. Fear has no chance of remaining in the presence of God because the spirit of fear is only welcome in the pit of hell.
People fear too much because they trust too little. “In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?” (Psalm 56:4 NKJV).
I pray that in whatever things are causing you to fear, the Lord will deliver you from them all. I pray that the life of Christ will fill you with the peace of heaven and make you courageous in all you do. I pray for your courage.
God does not give you fear, but you can give Him yours. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV).
Blessings to you,
Paul Balius