Fear
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”
– Yoda
“Fear is the most notable emotion a man can have. Because it’s standard procedure for every man to feel it, and it is what he does with it that makes him a man.”
– Captain James T. Kirk, USS Enterprise
That last quote strikes at myself. At work this week, I looked fear in the eye and fear won (in the form of a snake – see picture above). Too bad shrieking in fear is not the measure of a man, because if it was, I would be a real man!
There is much to fear - Wars & rumours of wars, wildfires & poor air quality, health scares & medical concerns… SNAKES! News feeds and workplace chatter only serve to amplify anxiety. Christians are not immune to the reality of fear and increased anxiety, yet our response must look different.
We can stand fearless, with full courage, in our daily lives because of three foundational truths: God is Pre-eminent, God is present, and God is powerful:
- God is Pre-eminent
Our courage begins with recognizing God’s absolute sovereignty. He is the self-existent "I AM" (Exod. 3:14) who gives life to all (Acts 17:25) and works all things according to His purpose (Ps. 115:3; Eph. 1:11). No unexpected headline, health concern, or personal crisis can thwart His hand (Dan. 4:34–35). Rest in knowing your daily life is held firmly by the God who is over all.
- God is Present
When God repeatedly commanded Joshua to "be strong and courageous," the charge was anchored in a single promise: “I will not leave you or forsake you” (Josh. 1:5–9). The All-Mighty God of the Universe will not leave you. That same promise belongs to believers today (Heb. 13:5). Whether facing financial stress, workplace friction, or personal weakness, God's presence provides all the grace you need (2 Cor. 12:9–10). You do not face your day alone.
- God is Powerful
Jesus told His disciples not to fear earthly threats that can only harm the body, but rather to fear God alone (Matt. 10:26–28). A holy, awe-filled fear of our God (Heb. 12:29) drives out lesser fears—whether of sickness, failure, or health scares. Your heavenly Father knows every detail of your life, down to the number of hairs on your head (Matt. 10:30). Because He has redeemed you and called you by name (Isa. 43:1), the anxieties of this world lose their power.
So What?
When fear grips the world around us, the Christian’s response should stand out as a beacon of hope:
- Remember: "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).
- Ready your mind: Anchoring your thoughts in God's character allows you to face daily trials with steady confidence.
- Point others to hope: Widespread fear creates natural opportunities to share the gospel and explain the hope within you (1 Pet. 3:15).
- Walk boldly: Leverage your daily life—at home, at work, and in your community—with Spirit-empowered courage for the glory of His name.