What is Fear?
Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Fear is one of the most negative thoughts and feelings a person may have. It will destabilize, cripple and leave you immobile. It will make you worry that things may turn out bad in your present situation and life in general.
Fear is the opposite of faith. Someone said that it is the same as faith but in a negative way. For if we have faith we believe that something good is going to happen but if we fear we also believe that something bad will happen to us.
Faith is the assurance of things we hope for but fear is the assurance of things we dread of.
Fear causes us not to take risk, not to move forward, not to explore and discover more ways to do things.
Fear will make us settle where we are. Be contented of what we had achieved. Become mediocre in our lives and timid or lazy to do things we have not done before.
No Fear
The phrase NO FEAR became popular years back and were used as a caption for warriors, fighters, players, teams, and even in the business world. “No fear”” is a good tag line and a good reminder for all of us, especially for those who are facing difficult circumstances in life. “No fear” can help those who are struggling with uncertainties, sickness, abandonment and even loneliness.
But NO FEAR has its side effect also. In this generation, we find children, youths and adults alike who have no fear for those in authority. Despising elders, no respect for leaders, rebelling against the law and not submitting to those whom we must obey – even God. This is just an observation to such extreme usage of the phrase. It’s the negative side or the misinterpretation of the term NO FEAR. It could probably be a misunderstanding that leads to wrong application. The phrase is good, even encouraging but if we apply it out of its true context, it would also bring more troubles.
That’s why in this article let me suggest the term “FEAR NOT.” These two terms, “No Fear and Fear Not,” may seem to have the same meaning at a glance but the latter is more appropriate when we’re talking about overcoming fears in our hearts and in our lives. FEAR NOT is also the admonition of God in the Bible for all of us. He mentioned this many times, more than a hundred times, just to assure us that He will be with us and to never leave us nor forsake us.
Therefore Fear Not
Fear not for God is with us. What a wonderful promise of the One who created us. Many people struggle to believe that the God of the universe, the Ruler of all the earth, the most powerful Being is the One who said that we should FEAR NOT because He is with us and will always be. He’s our Defender, Provider, Healer, Comforter and Redeemer.
Fear not for God is God. Though everyone is against you but if God is for you, that’s what matters most. As it said in the Scriptures that “a thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand,” you should not be afraid. People may have misunderstood you, said all kinds of evil against you, criticized and despised you; know that God is for you and not against you. You may face mountains of testings, valleys of trials, storms of many kinds, if you believe that God is your God, you will overcome, you will be victorious. For you and God are already the majority, the winning team, and with Him nothing is too difficult and hard. For with God nothing is impossible, all things are possible!
Fear not for God is your strength. Every day is full of various challenges. Deadlines, dead ends, work loads, overloads, no cell phone load, bill payments, tuition fees, peer pressures, financial obligations, relational problems and the like. At the end of the day, we are tired, weary and exhausted. If you are tired just rest but don’t give up. If you are weak know that the Lord is your strength. In your weakness He will make you strong if you learn to come to Him in faith.
Fear not for God is your help and He will lift you up. He’s our help in a helpless situation. He’s willing to lift us up when we’re down. He’s extending a helping hand when we feel no one does. As the Psalmist cried out, “I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
As you face diverse challenges today my dear reader and friend, how small or big they may be, hope you will remember God’s promise, that He is with you and for you. He loves you so much, in fact He defeated even the most dreadful enemy man could ever face – death. So next time fear creeps in, just look up and with the eyes of faith, see God’s mighty hands, stretching towards you, ready to carry you through. Fear not.
No fear? I don’t think so, because in reality we all have fears. But knowing and believing that God is greater than our fears, we chose to fear not.