What do you think is the most common command God gives to His people? “Love one another”? “Love God”? Could it be, “Obey my commands"?  

Nope. It's, “Fear not!” Someone counted how many times this popped up in the Bible and came to the conclusion it was commanded 366 times- one for every day of the year, including leap year!

It is a comfort to me that God knows how common and challenging our fears are to the point that He repeated the command so many times. He knows that fear is often what we struggle with the most. After all, we do live in a dangerous world, and even though we may operate under the illusion we are in control, we are not.

I don’t automatically think I am a fearful person, but fear sneaks up on me more times than I’d like to admit. Usually there are triggers: the results of a health exam (potential cancer?), the sight of masks (another pandemic?), a nuclear war (Ukraine), political chaos (November elections), confrontation (text messages), or even going to the mall (mass shootings!) And sometimes, it is a crippling fear of disappointing people. An important first step in fighting fears is acknowledging them and recognizing some of the triggers.

Interestingly, the most often repeated promise of God in the Bible is, “I am with you.” Put the two together and you have, “Do not fear. I am with you.”

What does this look like? Could this mean God will not take away the things that cause us to fear but rather gives us the power and strength of His presence to face our fears?

It was eye opening for me when I realized the Bible talks about disciplining our minds with meditating on what is right and true and lovely (Philippians 4:8, Romans 12:2). This encourages me, because I often think Christ followers should automatically have no fear. But God’s Word talks about discipline, and we all know discipline takes some work. And practice. Over and over again. We need to discipline our thinking so that fear does not take control of our lives. As I find ways to connect and ponder the promises of God and His presence in my life, my fears truly do diminish. It’s a way I can fight back.

Here are 3 ways God’s promises help me live courageously:

1.“When I am weak, (God) is strong,” says 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. As I consider my limits, my weaknesses, and my failures, I am given the opportunity to lean into and experience God’s grace and power. Focusing on Jesus and His promised grace and strength instead of my fears and my weaknesses helps me not to let fear get the better of me. 

2. “I am a child of God, created for good purposes” (Galatians 4:7 and Ephesians 2:10). Along with the sense of powerlessness, fear naturally undermines my confidence and purpose. As a result, fear makes me feel stuck, unable to make decisions, or move forward. Fear makes me feel insecure. Memorizing and recalling what God says about who I am gives me weapons to fight back. God’s Word says I am a “child of God,” - redeemed, precious, and equipped for the good things he has called me to. Memorizing Ephesians 2:10 and Galatians 4:7 reminds me of all the wonderful resources I have available to me in order to live the life I am meant to live. Who will I choose to believe? What God says about me or what others say?

3. “Nothing can separate me from the love of God” (Romans 8:39). Fear can diminish hope. I can get into a “what if” cycle and imagine all kinds of potential horrible things happening. Suddenly, my future looks bleak. I have imagined the worst case scenario and there is no way out. This is what fear does. It makes us believe there is no hope. The truth is that whatever happens, for the believer in Jesus Christ, there is no worst case scenario. Because nothing this world can do will ever separate me from God’s redemptive love and purposes in my life (Romans 8:39). Fear can make you believe there is no hope. Don’t believe the lie. Replace the lie with the Truth of God’s Word. There is always hope. 

In battling my fears, I have learned that it is important to not let them become my focal point. God’s promises along with acknowledging His presence need to fill our minds. It helps us know that we don’t ever have to do this alone. We have weapons to fight this war.

Finally, the war on fear is rarely, if ever, “one and done.” As long as we have breath, we will fight the battles. Some days I may feel strong and confident with a strong sense of His presence. Other days, I don’t want to leave the house. And yet, I find as I continue to discipline my mind on God’s Word and choose faith over fear, my lapses become less and less. Fear may always be lurking in my life ready to take advantage, but as long as I can call it out, lean into God’s promises, and remind myself Jesus “will never leave me or forsake me,” I can live victoriously. I also don’t want to forget to add that it is a tremendous help if you can seek others to pray with and encourage you when it gets especially hard (Hebrews 10:24,25).

What are some of your fears? What are some of your favorite promises that you lean into when you are especially afraid?