"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
Are you plagued with the fear of pain, disease, or dying? Have you shut down under the weight of fearing failure, being misunderstood, or rejected? Does the fear of punishment, judgment, or condemnation send you running for cover? Or are you always on guard and ready to lash out at anyone who seems threatening to you?
Fear can be a destructive tool of the enemy. We can know that Satan is using fear to harm us when our fear fosters the deeds of the flesh in our lives. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. Galatians 5:19–21
Scientists have labeled the human response to fear as “fight or flight.” Fear is visceral, instinctive, always disconcerting, but sometimes unwarranted. Do you desire freedom from the control that fear has over your thinking and actions? Look to Jesus!
The instruction to "fear not" is a frequently repeated call throughout Scripture, found in nearly every book of the Bible, first in Genesis 15:1 and last in Revelation 1:17. So, we can infer that God not only anticipated His people’s fear but also that He made a plan to relieve our fears. The antidote to our fears is looking to Jesus.
Alternatively, fear can be redeemed and used as a vehicle that drives us to Jesus, our refuge. The book of Psalms is replete with expressions of fears relieved by looking to and taking refuge in the Lord, such as “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” Psalm 46:1-3
Whatever is inciting you toward fear is met today by Jesus with strength and victory! Look to Jesus for relief and hear Him say to you, “Do not fear, only believe” (Mark 5:36). Believe that Jesus died on the cross for you and has risen victorious for you. Believe that you were in Christ when He died and that in Him you were raised to a new life of righteousness which brings boldness (Proverbs 28:1). See Christ’s perfect love displayed on Calvary and let this sight cast out your fears (1 John 4:18). Remember, there is no punishment for you; death is defeated (Hebrews 2:14-15). You are safe in the shelter of the cross (Psalm 91:1-2)!