The dictionary defines fear as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or a threat.” We all have to deal with many types of fears in our life. We all fear different types of things, fear of death, fear of something bad happening to our family, fear of losing our job, fear of losing our money, etc. Some fears are rational fears like when you are faced with an imminent threat to your life and others fears are irrational fears like the fear of public speaking which doesn’t threaten your life in any way but one that you experience only in your own mind.
There are many theories and hypotheses out there on what causes fear and many more suggestions and recommendations on how to overcome them. The problem with fear is that it is a feeling that exists solely in the mind of the individual that there is no fix-it-all solution that will work for everyone. So what does the bible say about fear? What solution does the bible provide us to overcome our fears?
The bible is filled with stories of people who faced their fears and overcame them by putting their trust in God. When the entire Israelite army was scared to death of fighting the giant Goliath, David was able to face him and defeat him by putting his faith solely in God. When Daniel faced death multiple times for worshipping the one true God he did not fear because he put his trust in God. We see God keeping him safe in the pit of lions and again in the fiery furnace. When Moses saw the Egyptian army pursue the Israelites in the desert he trusted in God even though he was in fear. God again came through by performing a miracle by parting the Red Sea.
These are just a few examples of the many stories in the bible where people were in fear, often for their life and God came through cause they put their trust in him. Psalm 27:1 says “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid”. The bible’s way of overcoming all fears in your life is through putting your trust in the Lord. If there is one solution that works for everyone then that is God. What fear are you facing today? Can you take it to God in prayer? Can you put your trust in him? Will you trust that God will come through? “So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Like this verse say can we confidently say that the Lord is my helper and I will not fear?
When we face our fears and overcome them by trusting in God then we all grow spiritually. How we react when we are faced with fear is the ultimate test of our faith. Do we succumb to our fears or do we boldly face our fears by putting our trust completely in our God? for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” God has given us all the spirit of boldness, love, and self-control. Jesus said in “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Jesus wants us to live in peace and not in fear. He wants us to trust in him. Are you living in fear and anxiety today? Bring it all to Jesus and he will take away your fears if you put your trust in him. He is the God of peace and love after all and not a God of fear and anxiety. So are you looking for a solution to overcome your fear? the solution is simply to take it to Jesus Christ and trust in him completely. When you do this you will slowly see your fears and anxiety be replaced with your faith in Jesus instead.