Fear (verb): to be afraid of something or someone; to expect or worry about something bad or unpleasant
Fear is the foundation of worry, anxiety, concern, and nervousness. When I say, “I am worried” or “I am anxious”, I am really saying “I am afraid.”. When I use the other descriptive words for my feelings, I am not recognizing the underlying fear that needs to be addressed.
Many fears are connected to the same primary fear. For example, fears of flying, heights, and the dark likely share a fundamental fear of death or of physical harm. The fear is just manifesting on various objects or activities.
“Do not fear” (or a similar instruction) is recorded 300+ times in scripture! It is God’s most used command. Why?
Fear holds us back from the adventures of life, from the connections born of vulnerability, and from being of maximum usefulness to God.
Fear is a foothold of Satan – how he gains access to my psyche and influences me to turn away from God. Zach Williams sings passionately about this in his song: Fear is a Liar
But fear can be the very thing that most frequently causes me to turn to God! But I must acknowledge the fear, observe it, and identify it. Only then can I turn to God in prayer and ask for help to remove the fear, to calm me, to show me the way through it.
A nightly review of fear is so helpful! Where was I afraid during my day? Did I recognize it at the time or only after the fact? How did fear influence my decision or my actions? What could I have done differently? Then I talk to God about that fear and ask for it to be removed.
How do I identify or recognize fear?
I look at people, places, and situations I avoid, or where I feel great discomfort, or where I try to “buffer” (that is to disconnect from reality for the moment).
I may claim my discomfort at a social event is because I’m an introvert. That’s the easy way out. But when I look closely, there’s more to it – because certain social events cause me no discomfort and certain ones do. By examining the nuances of these events, I see a fear lurking underneath – a fear of danger. So, if I’ve decided the social event has a high or even moderate risk of danger, the fear kicks in.
My personality trait of introversion doesn’t really determine the level of enjoyment I receive from a social event – it’s the level of fear I experience that drives it. The amount of “risk” I’ve assigned to the event.
Another way I identify my fear – I look for people, places, situations I’m trying to control, but of course am actually powerless to do so. Here are examples:
- Excessive planning as I try to control the future…indication of a fear of failure.
- Rigid boundaries or rules places on my children…indication of a fear of danger to them, or of other people’s approval of my parenting style.
- Acting as a “backseat driver”…indication of a fear of getting lost or a fear of dying.
Fears cannot be rationalized away. This is frustrating to me as an intellectual being, an avid analyst and thinker. Why can’t I just read a set of facts or statistics that demonstrate, even prove, that the fear is based on something not likely to happen and then convince myself to let go of the fear? Why can’t I use brain power to decide that the fear is illogical and irrational? Why can’t I just believe someone else’s encouraging words of “there’s nothing to be afraid of”?
Fear can’t be talked away or brushed aside.
The best antidote to fear is FAITH.
Every day, as I surrender to God’s will, I put on my fear repellant. Over and over in scripture, God tells us “Do not fear” or “Do not be afraid” along with “I am with you”. The way to let go of the fear is to hold tightly to this belief: He is with me.
It’s worth the effort identifying my fears, as it provides opportunities to build my Faith. Every time I recognize a fear, I have the opportunity to also acknowledge “He is with me”. By spotting and facing my fears (rather than denying them or hiding from them), I grow closer to the One who commands me “Do not fear.”
I can try to build self-confidence to tackle fear, or deny it, or divert it, or white-knuckle it through to the other side. But when I turn to God in the midst of fear, He removes it and replaces it with His Peace. I don’t want to “manage” my fear… I want to turn it over to God and live in His Serenity!
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. 1 John 4:18
I find inspiration in this verse! Jesus Christ himself is perfect love. In other words, Jesus drives out fear.
He is the cure!
*****************************
BONUS: Here is a 7-day devotional on the subject of fear.
Sunday
“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13
Fear is not meant to be faced alone. It’s a lifeline to God, the source of all power.
As soon as fear arises, reach out a hand and speak His name.
He is faithful. His Promise of help awaits.
Monday
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
Sometimes I am embarrassed or ashamed of my fear.
My mind says, “How silly it is to be afraid of this!”
But His promise is that if I seek Him, He will deliver me from ALL my fears.
God doesn’t laugh at my fears, He doesn’t say, “Bring me only the ‘big’ or ‘rational’ fears”.
He says: “Come to me, I will set you free from your fear.”
Tuesday
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
Jesus offers us His Peace.
To receive it, we must make room by relinquishing our fears.
Today I choose to let go of fear and open my heart to accept His Promise of Peace.
Wednesday
You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.” Lamentations 3:57
God hears our prayers!
We pray for healing & comfort, for aid to those we love, for wisdom to those in leadership….and underlying many of these prayers is a fear.
Fear of pain, discomfort, loss, failure, chaos, overwhelm, or financial ruin.
If we listen closely, we can hear God’s response:
“Do not fear, my precious one! I am here.”
Thursday
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you.” Acts 18:9
Fear deters us from action, from usefulness, from Kingdom-building; of course God commands us to not be afraid!
A life lived in fear hides in the shadow of the abundant, joyful life He planned for us.
When fear comes, whisper His name, grab His hand, and step into His Light.
Friday
“Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 1:8
Remember standing at the water’s edge as a child while a parent or grandparent held out their hands and encouraged you “Don’t be afraid, I’ll catch you.”?
When we stand at the precipice of our fear, God awaits our beckoning…
Then, rather than responding with “You can do it!”, He whispers gently, firmly, and faithfully:
“I can do this. Hold on to me.”
Don’t shy away or run away from the precipice…it’s the way into His Loving Arms.
Saturday
But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1
God isn’t just a Life Coach or Motivational Speaker throwing cute slogans or encouraging quotes at us. He is so much more!
He is Provider, Protector, Savior, Companion, Creator.
His words “Do not fear” aren’t suggestive, they are commanding.
He has claimed us as His…
And by claiming Him as ours, we unlock the prison door created by fear