God addressed fear hundreds of times in Scripture because we can be fearful people. Fear is the opposite of faith because we are looking at situations from a human perspective instead of a spiritual perspective.
You need to overcome fear with faith. Let’s talk about it.
The apostles fear on the lake
23 As He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But He was sleeping. 25 So the disciples came and woke Him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to die!” 26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, you of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. And there was a great calm. (Mt 8:23-26) (Also Lk 8:22-25)
The apostles were afraid because as professional fishermen they knew that boats sink, and people die in storms on the sea. They were leaning on their human understanding and experience and from that perspective their fear was valid. But that is the exact opposite of how people of faith in Christ should be viewing life:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding (Pv 3:5)
Your own human understanding can get in the way your faith and trust in God which is why Jesus asked, “Why are you fearful, you of little faith?”
Overcome fear with faith
Replace your fear with faith by looking to God and thinking spiritually.
Don’t be afraid. Only believe. (Mk 5:36)
3 When I am afraid, I will trust in You. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not fear. (Ps 56:3-4)
Try to be like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when you are in a scary situation. They were put in a position by the king of Babylon to either choose committing idolatry or being burned to death:
14 Nebuchadnezzar asked them, “… 15 Now … fall down and worship the statue I made. But if you don’t worship it, you will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire …” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. 17 If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. 18 But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.” (Dan 3:14-18)
They handled the frightening situation by focusing upward on God. They remember that God could deliver them but also accepted that He might not. They did not respond in fear but in faith because they kept their eyes on God and didn’t view things from an earthly perspective.
So the next time you are in a scary spot, think about God – His sovereignty and power (2 Chr 20:6; Ps 115:3), His love for you as His child (Eph 3:17-19; 1 Jn 3:2), and His presence you (Mt 29:20b). Remember all He’s done in Scripture and in your life.
The example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
When you’re afraid, look to God and think spiritually.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are a great example. When given the choice or worshipping an idol or being thrown into a furnace to die, they responded this way:
14 Nebuchadnezzar asked them, “… 15 Now … fall down and worship the statue I made. But if you don’t worship it, you will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire …” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. 17 If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. 18 But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.” (Dan 3:14-18)
They did not respond in fear but in faith. Why? Because they kept their eyes on God and didn’t view things from an earthly perspective but a spiritual one.
Think about it
Do you let fear interfere with your faith?
What makes you afraid? Why does it? Are you looking at it from the right perspective?
Would those things scare you if Jesus was sitting next to you? Why or why not?
Name some things you can do to overcome fear in the future.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea … (Ps 46:1-2 – NIV)
The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Ps 118:6)
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. (Ps 56:3 – NASB)
BIBLE DEVOTIONS FOR LIVING 