“Yes, you came when I called; you told me, ‘Do not fear.’” – Lamentations 3:57
Remember, as a kid, a place (or places) where you were afraid to go alone? Maybe the basement? Or the closet? Or even peeking under the bed?
You weren’t sure why you were afraid. You just were. Your imagination ran wild with fear. Surely there was something in those dark places that meant you harm!
When Mom or Dad accompanied you, though, things were different. They’d turn on a light, and go into the basement (or elsewhere) with you. Light and darkness can’t coexist, after all. You’d discover the monsters you dreaded … weren’t there. You probably checked around every corner, just to be sure they wouldn’t sneak out when darkness returned.
We never shake irrational fears, even as adults. Only the subject matter changes. Now it’s money, or health, or relationships, or … go ahead. Fill in the blank. No shortage of possibilities, right?
Only, these fears carry price tags. We lose rest, or contentment, or peace of mind. Maybe not quantifiable, but certainly undeniable.
Here’s the ironic part: We claim to be disciples of Christ who follow God’s Word. Well, the Bible states “fear not” 365 times! Why don’t we believe it?
Either You Do … Or You Don’t
“For I hold you by your right hand – I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” – Isaiah 41:13
Nothing in Scripture associates fear with God. In fact, passage after passage exhorts Christ’s disciples to act boldly, for they have nothing to fear.
If only. Were we really a fearless body of Christ, what could we accomplish? Imagine the possibilities!
Yet, we continually fall prey to external forces that want to keep us on edge, and fearful.
Inflammatory headlines. Social media tales of harrowing experiences. Even a tailgating driver behind us, making it hard to take one’s eyes off the rear-view mirror.
If you’ve ever stumbled across an ant nest in a lawn or planting bed, you’ll notice the tiny insects going about their business in an orderly manner. Stomp your feet a few times, and what happens? They swarm out in great numbers, racing every which way to find the source of disruption. Their quest is inevitably futile.
The external forces affecting us are foot stompers. They rile us up. They make us fear things that might happen – not “probably” happen, or “likely to” happen. Just a possibility, no matter how remote. Our minds still race … just like the ants.
Do we ignore the words in Isaiah 41:13? Do we believe God holds our hand, or not? Because if we don’t – what do we believe? Truly following God’s Word, means taking the Bible’s repeated “fear not” admonition to heart. Just as a scared child clutches their parent’s hand, let us hold firm to God’s.
Living a Life Free of Fear
“Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” – Psalms 55:22
Society tells us that, if we really “have it all together,” we shouldn’t be unsure or fearful. This, of course, isn’t possible. We’re human. We’re prone to doubts and insecurities.
Yet we should take the Bible’s repeated (365 times!) “fear not” to heart. Try these simple steps to work toward living a life free from fear:
- Cast all of your cares onto the Lord: In Scripture, God repeatedly asks us to give Him our fears and burdens. He’ll handle them. Will we finally do so?
- Set your spiritual compass: If you get lost in the woods, a compass can lead you out. If we point our moral and spiritual compass toward God, he’ll lead us away from the forces that seek to distract and disrupt us.
- Recognize you’ve already been redeemed from fear: Jesus suffered and died on the cross so we could experience lives of spiritual wholeness. Don’t be too proud to accept this astonishingly generous grace.
- Choose to have a sound mind: When we embrace all that God gives us, we choose happiness. When we are timid to accept, our vulnerabilities weaken us.
- Adopt a “zero tolerance” policy toward fear: Certain situations – often involving lust, worldly goods or societal expectations – prey on our weaknesses. Avoid them! The fallout often leads to fear of consequences. Why would we choose this?
- Walk in love: Where we walk, matters far less than who we walk with. 1 John 4:18 assures us that God’s love “has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.” Walk with God, now and always.
Jesus goes with us wherever we go. He is the light that casts out darkness. He is the one who pulls back the curtain, to reveal the nothingness behind.
In short, he is the one who vanquishes our fears. Christ will never leave us. If we trust Him, though, our fears can head for the exits.
(If you’re ready to embrace Christ, He’s ready for you. Visit C-Suite for Christ to join in Christ-centered fellowship with other professionals. Join us as a member. Plant a chapter where you live. Consider becoming a corporate partner. Follow C-Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)
