No reason to be ashamed. Fear hits us all the time, even those of us who pledge to live our lives by faith. So what do we do when fear gets the worst of us? Here are some guides from Scripture:
1) We live by faith and not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
What we see with our own eyes is never the full story. The news screams with scary headlines meant to make us afraid: War Feared! Terrorist Alert! Worst Storm of Century! Financial Crisis Predicted! But the news is hardly the good news.
2) Jesus spoke to them, “Be encouraged! It’s Me. Don’t be afraid.” (Mark 6:50)
It’s Jesus who reminds the disciples, just as He’s walked on water, not to be afraid. They were terrified by what they saw, figuring it was a ghost. Then they heard His voice, calming them, as He stepped into the boat.
3) My whole being waits for the Lord–more than the night watch waits for the morning. (Psalm 130:6)
I hate to wait. I’m very impatient. But how long was it from the agony of Good Friday to the triumph of Easter? Only three days. Tell yourself, “Wait three days.” Then wait with hope.
4) “Stop worrying about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)
Jesus knows where my mind goes, down a deep rabbit hole of unseen, wholly manufactured fears. He doesn’t pretend trouble doesn’t exist, but reminds me to take it one day at a time.
5) “Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)
This feels like a text message sent from God, but note, not one to an undisclosed list of recipients. The message “Don’t fear” is individualized. God loves each of us as if there is only one of us to love.
6) He won’t allow you to be tempted beyond your abilities. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
When fear gets out of control it feels so much bigger and beyond us. We don’t know how to lasso it back into something manageable. Take heart. No fear will tempt you beyond your ability to cope.
7) If anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things. (Philippians 4:8)
Give yourself something else to concentrate on rather than fear. At times when I’ve been trapped by fears, I’ve simply written down the things I was thankful for, focusing on them instead.
8) The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light. (John 1:5)
Stay in the light. The darkness is real but there’s something else stronger. Sometimes in my prayers I picture the light of God filling me as I say, “Jesus, You are the light.”
9) But I know that my redeemer is alive and afterward he’ll rise upon the dust. (Job 19:25)
How often I’ve heard these words read during funerals or memorial services. What a comforting reminder that the end of life is not the end. What is there to fear in a world where our Lord has vanquished death?
10) The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts Him. I was helped, my heart rejoiced, and I thank Him with song. (Psalm 28:7)
Try praying these words, silently or aloud, then trust. Beyond your fears you might find something better than you could ever have imagined.
