God’s Answer to Fear

I recently got an email from a distraught friend, regarding a common issue for many people, including me. This person wrote: “I am a Christian; I really do believe in God. My problem is that I still have a lot of fear in my life. I fear for my own and my loved ones’ safety and well-being. I am just not sure what tomorrow is going to bring. Believe me, I could go on and on! I am afraid to admit this to my friends. How can I get over my fear?”

So what is God’s cure for fear? It is as simple as it is effective. The key is this: rest your whole being on God in absolute trust. Trust in God cancels fear; where there is fear, there is an absence of trust [example of “trust falls.”] Let’s see what the Bible teaches us regarding overcoming fear.

In the Gospel of John, during Jesus’ final moments with His disciples, He told them – and all who would follow, not to fear. I have read these words at hundreds of funerals I have conducted:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also….
“I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you….
“I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid” (John 14:1-3, 18-20, 25-27).

The Apostle Paul had this to say: “Do not worry 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 your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Peter simply added this: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

The Psalms are rich with God’s answer to fear. Four examples:
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23).
“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?” (Psalm 27)
“You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust’” (Psalm 91)
“Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. With the Lord on my side I do not fear” (Psalm 118)

Note the importance of taking refuge in God. I believe that if we seek refuge in the Spirit of God, no evil can befall us, save that which God Himself should send our way, for the sake of our own healing, disciplining and maturing. Those who fear are those who feel vulnerable, isolated, exposed; they are those who have not yet made God their home.

Brother Roger of Taize, France, said that “God never places us in a time of fear, but in a time of faith.” Therefore, today and every day is a time of faith, faith in the God who is greater than our problems, who is already working on the solution to our difficulties, and may have some deeds for us to do to help bring resolution about. Risk trust daily.