English
Português
Español
Français
Answer
Everyone is afraid at some point, about something. We live in a world that presents numerous opportunities for fear, and we can be quite imaginative in identifying new things to be afraid of. Perhaps that is why one of the most frequently mentioned commands in the Bible is “do not be afraid.” Naturally, the Bible not only issues the command but also provides compelling reasons why we need not be afraid.
Here are some biblical principles for overcoming fear:
Trust in God. This must be the foundation. Do we truly trust God? The psalmist demonstrates the right decision: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” «What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. », (Psalm 56:3). Faith conquers fear «And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? », (Mark 4:40). We remind ourselves that our Good Shepherd is with us, even “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death” «Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. », (Psalm 23:4). There is no need to be afraid because He will never abandon us «Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. », (Hebrews 13:5). He is our deliverance, our strength, our protection, and “he has become my salvation” «Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. », (Isaiah12:2). In trusting God, we pray to Him, believe His Word, and obey His commands. Scripture abounds with reasons we should not be afraid, based on our trust in the Lord (see Deuteronomy 31:8; Psalm 27:1; Psalm 34:4; Psalm 118:6; Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 10:28; John 14:27; Romans 8:38-39; 2 Timothy 1:7).
Trust in God will counteract the effects of fear. The Bible’s admonition to not be afraid naturally implies faith in God. As Scottish minister Alexander McLaren put it, “Faith, which is trust, and fear are opposite poles. If a man has the one, he can scarcely have the other in vigorous operation. He that has his trust set upon God does not need to dread anything except the weakening or the paralyzing of that trust” (from “The Heath in the Desert and the Tree by the River” in Triumphant Certainties: And Other Sermons, Funk and Wagnalls Co., 1905, p. 247).
Don’t focus on fear. We choose what we dwell on. To focus on the source of fear is to engender more fear; to focus on the One who takes fear away is to find solace. We can choose to fix our thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. We “think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” «Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. », (Philippians 4:8, NLT). As Jairus, the synagogue ruler, was bringing Jesus home to save his daughter, he received news that his daughter had died «While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daug
hter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? », (Mark 5:35). Immediately, Jesus told Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe” (verse 36). In other words, Jairus must forgo the natural focus on the tragedy and fear and focus instead on faith and the Lord’s nearness. In choosing to not be afraid, we remember that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” «Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. », (1 John 4:4).
Choose to praise the Lord. “How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting!” «Praise ye the LORD: For it is good to sing praises unto our God; For it is pleasant; and praise is comely. », (Psalm 147:1). Praise is an antidote to fear, and gratitude negates worry. Habakkuk the prophet was fearful of the invasion of his country, and he described his fear vividly: “I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled” «When I heard, my belly trembled; My lips quivered at the voice: Rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, That I might rest in the day of trouble: When he cometh up unto the people, He will invade them with his troops. », (Habakkuk 3:16). But in the following verses, the prophet handles his fear in a godly manner: he “waited patiently” to see the Lord’s intervention (verse 16). He acknowledged that difficult times could be on the way (verse 17). He purposed to praise the Lord (verse 18). And he focused on the Lord’s power and promises (verse 19). In that focus, Habakkuk learned to not be afraid. And that’s how he ended his book,On a note of praise to the Lord.
Remember the future God has promised His children. We should not worry about tomorrow, as Jesus clearly taught, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matthew 6:34). In this life, we have God’s promise to meet every need His children have, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19), and to accomplish His work in us, “being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 1:6). As David passed the throne to his son, he encouraged Solomon in the knowledge of God’s plan for him: “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished” “And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 28:20). In the next life, the redeemed have an even greater hope: “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5). Jesus’ comforting words bring joy to the hearts of those who are fearful: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” « Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. », (Luke 12:32).
Combat the temptation to fear. We are engaged in a spiritual battle, and one of the enemy’s strategies is to instill fear. Through His grace, God has provided us with spiritual armor to wage a victorious battle. We possess “the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the wicked one” «above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. », (Ephesians 6:16, NKJV). A remarkable promise is contained in this passage. The shield we wield puts out the flames of all the devil’s attacks, including the temptation to fear. Faith conquers fear of every kind, and it is with trust in God that we make our stand (see verse 11). Resisting temptation involves following the path of wisdom and obedience, which consistently yields positive outcomes: “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet” «When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. », (Proverbs 3:24).
John Newton’s hymn “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds,” initially published in 1779, conveys the hopeful essence within the believer:
“How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And dispels his fear.”
