Do you know what the most repeated phase in the Bible is? It’s "Be not afraid”. Over and over again these words appear, a warning from above high in both the Old and New Testament. “Be strong and of good courage" we read in the book of Joshua, “do not be afraid nor be dismayed.” In Deuteronomy 3:22, “Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you”. I love Psalm 56:3-4 verse regarding fear, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise-in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me”.
Being scared you can’t help, but don’t be afraid. A scare is a temporary rush of a feeling. Fear is a state of being, and to allow it to rule is in some ways a disgrace for true Believers.
Being scared makes you alert, wakes you up, informs you of danger. Being afraid drags you down, weakens you, even paralyzes you.
In our uncertain world, in a time of vexing, complicated problems, fear is a liability. Fear holds you back. It’s okay to be scared. Who wouldn’t be? It’s not okay to let that stop you.
There is a Hebrew prayer that dates back to the early 1800’s: “The world is a narrow bridge, and the important thing is not to be afraid.”
The wisdom of that prayer has sustained the Jewish people through incredible adversity and terrible tragedies.
I think about the night when the angel came upon the shepherds and announced, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” Luke 2:10. In Matthew 10:31, Jesus said, “Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” and in Luke 12:32, “Fear not, little flock, for it is our Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
Are you wrong to feel fear when you’re not sure how to pay next month’s rent or when you get that dire health diagnosis or when your job is on the line? Or fear of getting COVID so you stay isolated in your home?
No. You’re not wrong. God wired our brains to experience fear. It is a primary emotion. There is a reason and purpose for our fear as we respond to triggering stimuli. When God says, “Do not fear” he is not commanding us to shut off a part of our brain. His model citizen isn’t an emotionless and stoic robot.
The real issue God wants us to wrestle with is where we go when we fear. Where do you go with your fears? How do you deal with them?
Simply put, God wants us to come to him. Fear can paralyze us. Yet when we “fear” in the presence of God, God helps us take the next step of faith even in the midst of our fear! Unfortunately, no one will be able to escape fear in this sinful and broken world. It is real. It can be paralyzing. It is powerful.
But God is more powerful.
He has the power and desire to be with us in the midst of our fears. Remembering this will enable to us to take the next step of faithfulness in our lives. How? Because God is with us. We can continue to fight to believe Jesus is more in and through our fears thanks to his presence with us.
Submitted by Tom N.
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