Do Not Let Fear Drive You

Anytime I have the same topic pop up several times in several different ways in a short time, it gets my attention – and that is what has been happening.

A daily short devotional/prayer calendar I have has been dealing with the topic of fear every day since the beginning of this month.  Some verses from my daily Bible reading have dealt with fear in recent days.  Then yesterday, a praise song I was listening to while preparing for my study time spoke about fear.  Okay God, I get it.

First, we should not fear what others think of us.  Many people hesitate to step into their salvation fearful about what other people will think when they tell them they have become a Christian.  Isaiah 51:7 (ERV) says:  “You people who understand goodness should listen to me.  You people who follow my teachings should hear the things I say.  Don’t be afraid of evil people.  Don’t let their insults upset you.”  Those people will not get you to heaven, so why should you fear what they will think or say?  

Second, we should never be concerned about potential failures.  If we stopped doing things because of that concern, we would likely never accomplish much of anything.  Psalm 94:18-19 (MSG) says:  “Who stood up for me against the wicked?  Who took my side against evil workers?  If God hadn’t been there for me, I never would have made it.  The minute I said, ‘I’m slipping, I’m falling,’ your love, God, took hold and held me fast.  When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up.”     

Now – let’s face it – the condition of our world today lends itself to many things that can create fear in our lives.  Unstable world leaders that seem bent on controlling and destroying other people and nations – threatening to use weapons that would potentially annihilate millions of people.  Threats of and attacks on our infrastructure that keeps our country running safely and efficiently.  Threats from our own government about removing a privilege provided to us in our Constitution that allows us to protect ourselves; as well as coming after everyday average citizens for speaking out their personally held beliefs (another privilege afforded to us by our Constitution ), simply because their beliefs differ from the “powers that be”.  On and on it can go.

But here are some encouraging words about those kind of fears:

“But Jesus replied, ‘Why are you so afraid? You surely don’t have much faith.’”  (Matthew 8:26a CEV)

So in other words, do not fear what is going on around you.  That’s what the apostles were doing and Jesus reprimanded them for it.

“But Moses answered, ‘Don’t be afraid! Don’t run away! Stand where you are and watch the Lord save you today. You will never see these Egyptians again.’”  (Exodus 14:13 ERV)

The Israelites on foot had escaped from the clutches of the Egyptian slave drivers.  They were now backed up to the shores of the Red Sea, being pursued by the Egyptians wearing their armor, riding on horses and in powerful chariots.  It is easy to see how feeling trapped they were fearful.  But Moses knew that God was on their side – just as He is still on our side today.  We need to just stand firm and believe in His protection. 

“‘Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.’“  (Matthew 6:34 MSG)

Jesus is trying to explain that we do not need to worry or be fearful about what could possibly happen in the future.  We need to just stay strong, leaning on Him, trusting in Him.  So many of the things I mentioned above are out of our control.  Nothing we can do or say can change them – except for staying full of faith and praying.

The song that I mentioned is titled “Stand In Your Love.”  The first verse says this:  

When darkness tries to roll over my bones, When sorrow tries to steal the joy I own, When brokenness and pain is all I know, I won’t be shaken, I won’t be shaken.  Then the chorus says: My fear doesn’t stand a chance, When I stand in your love. 

I want to stand always in that precious love God so freely pours out on us; but, the fact is, we have to accept that love.  Too many people reject it and prefer to live their lives without it.  I pity those people.  They do not have the ability to stand against and defeat the spiritual enemies that want to destroy us.  We do not have the abilities or strength to accomplish that – but our God does!  With God in our lives, we can just lay down our fears at His feet and release them.

Psalm 27:1 (ERV):  “Lord, you are my Light and my Savior, so why should I be afraid of anyone?  The Lord is where my life is safe, so I will be afraid of no one!”

Jesus speaking in Mark 4:40 (TLB) says:  “And he asked them, ‘Why were you so fearful? Don’t you even yet have confidence in me?’”

The devotion on my calendar from February 7 was this:  “Lord, I lay my fears before You and ask You to set me free from them.  Help me to not be led or motivated by fear but rather to sense Your presence in my life setting me free from all fear.  Thank You, Lord, that You are far greater than anything I fear.”  The Bible verse that went with this is Isaiah 41:10 (AMP):  “‘Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’”  What a wonderful and encouraging verse that is!

There are so many verses in the Bible that lend encouragement to us about fear.  So, if fear is an issue that you deal with in your life, you should do a Bible search for verses that speak of it.  I will just end this with one of my very favorite verses about fear and how we should handle it.

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].”  2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)   

Do NOT let fear drive you!

[All bold emphasis mine]

Written by Karran Martin – February 11, 2023