Fear. We all face it at some time or another in our lives. Somehow, somewhere, somewhen, we learn to be afraid. I don’t know exactly when this occurs, but I believe our first encounter with it is in our early childhood. As I think about my own life, I can remember being afraid of many things. Whether it was the dog down the street, the spider on my bedroom ceiling, or the late night “creature feature” shows on tv, I came face to face with fear in my life.

But before I get too far with this, let me share the definition of fear from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary:

Fear: noun
1a: an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger
2: anxious concern

Fear: verb (feared; fearing; fears)
1: to be afraid of: expect with alarm

Fear has many different names and as I mentioned earlier, comes in various forms. Fear also affects each of us in different ways. For example, fear causes some to become paralyze to a point they can’t do or say anything. For some, fear causes them to react violently to either protect themselves or others or vanquish whatever it is that has frightened them. For many, removing themselves from the object or environment or situation that causes them fear is of paramount importance or simply, the first priority. And still, there are others who receive a sense of exhilaration and stimulation when facing something they are afraid of.

The emotions and actions or reactions that fear often produces has been studied by many. One thing that I have experience in my battles with fear is that once it takes hold of your thoughts and emotions, it inevitably produces anxiety which produces stress which produces frustration, anger and/or apathy and depression. Which also leads to hopelessness and possibly, suicidal thoughts.

Unfortunately, when we allow fear to take us on this dark journey, we resort to various ineffective means to eradicate it from our lives. Some find false courage in illicit, ineffective substances, illegitimate relationships in others that we believe will make us safe and false doctrines/philosophies.

One of my favorite quotes regarding fear, comes from a movie in 2013 titled, After Earth. Where the actor Will Smith, playing a character named Cypher Raige, was telling his real-life son, Jaden Smith, who was playing his fictional son, Kitai, during one of many intense scenes, the following:

“Fear is not real. The only place that fear can exist is in our thoughts of the future. It is a product of our imagination, causing us to fear things that do not at present and may not ever exist. That is near insanity. Do not misunderstand me danger is very real, but fear is a choice.”-Cypher Raige

Fear is a Choice

When we stop and really think about it, is there some validity behind this statement? Do we actually choose to be afraid? Is it in our power not to be afraid?

This line of questioning takes me to my foundation of truth, which is the Word of God. Here I find the very first introduction of fear into the life of mankind.

In Genesis 3:4-10 NLT 4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” 6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful, and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So, she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So, they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. 8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So, they hid from the LORD God among the trees. 9 Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”

Here we find that due to the choice of Adam and Eve, not only did sin enter the lives of man, but fear came along with it.

The Spirit of Fear

I know, I know. We don’t like to talk about spirits. Even us Christians feel uncomfortable when this subject comes up. Whether its discussions about the Holy Spirit and His power and purpose in our lives. Or the Fruits of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). Or especially the “evil spirits”, for example: Matthew 8: 16 That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick.

The Spirit Realm is simply something we tend to ignore or rationalize away because it’s hard to grasp those things that we cannot see or outwardly control.

However, the Bible clearly points out that there is an “unseen” world that we are participants in, whether we believe it or not.

Ephesians 6: 10-12 NLT 10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

And in another situation, the Bible states that God, Himself can remove His Spirit from an individual that is disobedient and refuses to no longer follow Him and replace it with a tormenting spirit, that will fill that person with depression and fear. (1 Samuel 16:14-15 NLT)

And yet to those who remain with God, we are reassured that God gives us His Spirit that doesn’t cause us to fear, but provides power, love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)

False Evidence Appearing Real – Zig Ziglar

If we don’t realize that this life carries with it opposition, then we have ignored reality or simply in denial. The Bible also states in John 8:44 NLT when Jesus was speaking to the descendants of Abraham, He told them: 44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Fear takes things we hear, see, feel and maybe experienced in the past, and presents it as real right now or in the near future. We are convinced that whatever it is will hurt us or at the very least, make us too uncomfortable to function.

Bottom line, we mostly surrender to fear due to our selfish desires and behaviors. What I mean by this is that if we weren’t so concerned with our well-being (safety, protection, comfort, happiness), or with our desires (lusts, pride, power, control), what would we be afraid of?

Overcoming Fear

“Christians ought not to be smothered in fear. There is a spiritual readiness, where we return to having the peace of God…” —Henry Blackaby

The simple solution to overcoming fear is to cease relying on one’s self and to begin trusting in and upon, God. This can only be done, in my opinion and supported by the Word of God, through a relationship with Jesus Christ. For you can’t know God without knowing His Son, Jesus.

Matthew 11: 27 NASB 27 All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

And it is in this knowing Jesus, that we are able to receive His Word in which we learn to surrender our ways to His. Therefore, coming under God’s peace, protection, security and love. Receiving victory over sin, which as I mentioned earlier, carries with it…fear.

His Word speaks of this victory

2 Timothy 1:7 NLT “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

And,

1 John 4:18 NLT “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”

And,

John 14:27 NLT Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

And,

Joshua 1:9 NLT “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

And,

Psalm 23:4 NLT “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

And,

Philippians 4:6 NLT “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

And lastly,

Isaiah 41:10 NLT “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

We can continue to choose to be afraid about the things that life brings. Or we can choose to trust God. We can’t trust God if we don’t take the time nor make the effort to know Him. And we can’t know Him without recognizing His Son, Jesus.

Let me just say the most obvious thing: This is not simple. This will take commitment. This will take believing in something more than ourselves and our selfish needs. This will be a day after day, situation after situation, trial after trial, continuous decision.

My question I ask myself each day is, “am I tired of being afraid”? The specific thing doesn’t matter. That’s not the point. The issue is being controlled by fear. The answer is, I don’t have to be. And neither do you. God doesn’t want us to and has provided a way to overcome fear.

We can be victorious in this area. We can be free of fear. It’s simply how bad do we want to be.

God bless.