On this earth, we have an abundance of things that we can be afraid of. There is no emotion more powerful than when we are overcome by our fear. We often fear the unknown more than the known because of our imagination of how bad things could become.
You don’t have to fear the unknown when the God you know has you. “The Lord will lead you. He himself is with you. He will not fail you or leave you. Don’t worry. Don’t be afraid!” (Deuteronomy 31:8 ERV).
The Word of God has much to say about the fear of things in this world, and the message is clear, the command is absolute: “Do not be afraid.” But how is it that we can live without fear when there are so many things to be afraid of?
We don’t have to fear what might happen because God already knows. “Your eyes have seen my formless substance; and in Your book were written all the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them” (Psalm 139:16 NASB).
The only way we can overcome fear is to trust the Lord in whatever we are going through. God is sovereign, and there is no trial in which He cannot help us. When our faith rises, our fears diminish, and there is no other way besides this.
When you have more faith, you’ll have less fear. “But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just have faith’” (Mark 5:36 NLT).
The Lord wants your faith to increase and your fears to go away. He will not remove the trial, but He will most certainly help you grow in your faith if you let Him. The Lord uses the things you are afraid of to cause you to turn to Him and grow in your faith.
Faith is to fear what light is to darkness. “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalm 56:3-4 NLT).
You don’t have to be afraid if you don’t want to be. Even when you find yourself being afraid, you don’t have to stay there. Place your faith in God, who can do anything, and give Him your fears so that He can help you.
The bigger your faith, the smaller your fear. “God is our protection and source of strength. He is always ready to help us in times of trouble. So we are not afraid when the earth quakes and the mountains fall into the sea. We are not afraid when the seas become rough and dark and the mountains tremble. Selah” (Psalm 46:1-3 ERV).
When you hold onto fear, you let go of God and find yourself quickly sinking. When you entertain fear, you are rejecting God because you are telling Him He cannot help you. Nothing is impossible for God, which includes comforting you through your trials.
The higher faith worries less and trusts more. “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation” (Isaiah 12:2 NASB).
This past week, I have had many things that I was afraid of. God knows what these things are, and God knows that I need not fear for any one of them. It doesn’t mean I won’t suffer from them, but in my suffering, I most certainly need not fear.
The question is not if you will survive the circumstance you are in but if you will trust Him through it. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NKJV). Only a trial can reveal the degree to which we trust Him.
Here are some words that I heard in my prayers this week:
- No matter what happens, He has you.
- Lose your job; He has you.
- Lose your health; He has you.
- Lose your life; He has you.
- Nobody can take you away from Him.
- Nothing can separate you from Him.
- You will always be safe in His arms.
Once you realize that the Lord has you, even fear will be afraid to go near you. “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4 NKJV).
There is no greater freedom than to be set free from your fears. Whenever you are afraid, take your fears and give them to the Lord. Don’t squander what can be produced in your trials, which is a faith that will trust Him in all you’re going through.
To be filled with peace, you must empty out your troubles. Jesus promised, “I give you peace, the kind of peace only I can give. It isn’t like the peace this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid” (John 14:27 CEV).
People will come against you with lies. You just walk in the truth and trust that He has you. You or your loved ones will have health issues. You just stay diligent in prayer that He is our healer. You may face financial losses. You must turn to the Lord, who owns it all.
The thing you fear the most, you need to trust Him with the most. “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 worry about what people say about you, for God knows what is really true. You only need to cherish the Word of God in your heart and walk with Him in all that you’re doing. Your reputation in heaven cannot be stained by all the slander against you here on earth.
Lord, you tell me not to be afraid of nothing, that You will clear a path ahead of me, and You have my back. (Isaiah 52:12 in my words) Jesus, I am just going to follow You. Folks ought to just get out of Your way. “For I hear the slander of many; fear is on every side; while they take counsel together against me, they scheme to take away my life. But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God’” (Psalm 31:13-14 NKJV).
My friend, do not be afraid, for as sure as the sun will shine today, He has you.
Blessings to you always,
Paul Balius
Such a blessing to my soul today! Thank you Paul for allowing Father God to flow His love and message through you!
May the Lord bless you and keep you!
Thank you so much for your uplifting words! Prayers for blessings into your life!
I lost my husband a year ago May. He was my best friend. He would have been 82 yesterday & I’m 79. We got married, when I was 20…kind of grew up together.
Today’s reading was very comforting & encouraging. Just wanted to say thank you. “I don’t have to fear the unknown, when the God, I know, has me.” ♥️
Susan, darling of Jesus and of heaven, I must tell you that your comment blesses me so very beautifully. Such a triumphant reunion of ecstatic connection and complete communion never-ending is eminent for the enjoyment of both of you in the presence of Jesus’ glory in the holy, happy highlands of heaven hereafter. Not yet entered into our hearts that which the holy Trinity of living, loving Infinity has prepared for us who love Him, but even this side of heaven we have a very, very precious foretaste of same. Alleluia to the Lamb of love and the Lord of liberty! Alleluia!!!
Hi Susan, what a great blessing that God gave to you, that for so many years you were married to your best friend, the love of your life. I’m so sorry that you lost him, but we can be so hopeful that you will yet be together again. May the Father of comfort place His comfort in you more each day. And may you be a testimony to others of the hope that shines within you. Blessings to you, Paul
Thank you Paul! ❤️
You’re welcome!
Paul, beloved brother, much thanks to you for your deep devotion to the Truth that sets men free to bring this much needed message from on high, from heaven to us.
God Is Love. (1 Jn 4:8:16, 1 Cor. 13). Faith functions by love. (Gal. 5:6) Love expels fear and torment. (1 Jn. 4:18).
Thanks also for inciting me this hour to look further into the Word in this area. I gratefully glean the following cogent commentary online as follows:
You’re referencing some powerful Scriptures that beautifully explore the nature of God’s love and its role in our lives. Let’s unpack them a little.
God is Love (1 John 4:8, 16)
The declaration that “God is love” in 1 John 4:8 is profound because it emphasizes that love is not just an attribute of God but His very essence. Everything God does flows from love—His creation, His redemption, His care for His people. This love isn’t just a feeling but an active force that defines His relationship with humanity. In 1 John 4:16, it says, “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.” This knowing and believing in God’s love is foundational to our faith.
Faith functions by love (Galatians 5:6)
In Galatians 5:6, Paul says, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Here, Paul is showing that faith, the foundation of our relationship with God, is not a sterile or intellectual exercise but is animated by love. It’s not enough just to have faith; it must be a faith that is active and expressed through loving actions, both toward God and toward others. Love is the environment in which faith works.
Love expels fear and torment (1 John 4:18)
One of the most comforting promises in the Bible is found in 1 John 4:18, which says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” The love of God for us is so powerful that it frees us from the paralyzing effects of fear. Fear is often rooted in the fear of judgment, the fear of failure, or the fear of being unworthy, but when we experience God’s perfect love, we realize that we are accepted, secure, and loved unconditionally. This love casts out all that fear and replaces it with peace.
Summary:
God is love: His essence is love, and everything He does flows from that nature.
Faith functions by love: Our faith is meant to be expressed through love; it’s not just a mental assent but something that moves us to act.
Love expels fear: When we grasp the magnitude of God’s love for us, it frees us from fear, because we know we are safe in His embrace.
Faith, hope, and love are central themes in the Christian life, and as we grow in understanding God’s love, it deepens our faith and dispels fear. It’s all tied together in the beautiful reality of God’s unconditional love for us.
Thank you, Brother! And especially thank you for your passion and your eloquent speech that honors our God! Your heart shines on the words you write.
I have read you column for years. I find much comfort in it. I praise the Lord for giving you the words I need to hear. Thank you for living you life yielded to His spirit.
Thank you so much! I pray the Lord will open your eyes and your heart to deeper levels of understanding and adoration of the Lord and all that is His. What a wonderful journey we are all on! Blessings always, Paul