Two plaques hang on the walls of my study: “Let your Faith be Bigger than your Fear” and “Fearless”. Why? Because sometimes fear grips my heart and I need to be reminded that God wants me to walk by faith rather than be consumed by fear. In recent months as COVID-19 has dramatically impacted all of our lives, fear is running rampant. After watching the nightly news, I sometimes feel as if the world is coming to an end. However, I must acknowledge that feelings are not always reality.
God knows our tendency to allow fear to dominate our thoughts. That’s why “Fear not!” is the most repeated command in the Bible—365 times! Perhaps God knew that we’d need that reminder each day of the year. But why should we not fear? Because our faithful God is with us! Isaiah 41:10 states, Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Faith comes from the Lord. Fear comes from our enemy.
Life is uncertain—it always has been and always will be. We are not in control—we never have been and never will be. The current crisis has made us acutely aware of these facts. But what if we shifted our focus to other facts. Jesus came to not only give us eternal life, but abundant life as well; where our faith in Him pushes fear aside, where we acknowledge that we’re not in control, yet we trust the One who is. Jesus will never leave or forsake us. Meditate on that truth. Own it. That doesn’t mean we’re foolish. It doesn’t mean that life will be painless. But it does mean that we can live fearlessly by trusting God to victoriously lead us into the unknown future. Guess what? It’s not unknown to Him! So, whatever difficulties we face, He will be there to help us through.
Whenever I’m asked to autograph my most recent book, Peace in the Storms of Life, I include John 14:27 as an encouragement: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Let’s choose faith over fear and receive His peace.