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Articles
Dealing With Fear
DEALING WITH FEAR
Dan Petty
The last time I recall the kind of feelings we are experiencing was in September of 2001, when terrorists attacked our nation. Those of us who were around then remember well the feelings of fear or foreboding in the days and weeks after those events.
Now we are facing a different kind of challenge, but one that nevertheless can lead to fear and anxiety.
It is in times such as these, especially, when we as Christians look to the Lord for strength. The answer to fear is our trust in God. Many passages in Scripture provide words to remind us that God is our stronghold. He is in control, so we trust in him.
Of course, trusting in God does not mean we don’t do all within our power to help protect ourselves and our loved ones. We make preparations and we take precautions. We act responsibly and with wisdom. We help others. But through it all, we put our trust in the Lord.
Consider with me just a few encouraging statements from God’s word.
Faith. Trust God. Remember that God cares what happens to us. Let your faith overcome your fear. “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7).
Hope. Remember the hope you have as God’s child. As his child, you are an heir. Your promised inheritance is what gives you hope. Let your hope overcome your fear. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18).
Love. It is a powerful help to know that our brethren love us and are there to help us. But the most important thing is to remember that God loves you. Love conquers all, including fear. “What shall we say then to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?... Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure than neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:31-39).
Prayer. The answer to anxiety and worry is to take it to the Lord in prayer. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).
“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?” (Ps. 27:1).
