The Lie Behind Our Fears
And forgettest the LORD thy maker, That hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; And hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, As if he were ready to destroy? And where is the fury of the oppressor? (Isaiah 51:13, KJV)
Fear is a powerful, destructive emotion that entered our lives with the advent of sin in the Garden of Eden. When we fear something that cannot harm us, or even something that can but is within our power to overcome, we are succumbing to a lie. Behind every fear or anxiety, there is a thought process that God intends to address.
Fear always ties back to our perception of reality, whether that reality is true or not. Consider two examples. First, imagine a man who sees a hungry 500-pound African lion approaching. His fear is rational, tied directly to a genuine threat of harm. If he claims, “There is nothing to fear from this lion,” he either possesses the means to confront the lion, or he is delusional and detached from reality.
Now, envision another man who fears encountering a lion outside his home, despite there being no lion. His fear stems from his perceptions, not from any real danger. While his feelings of fear are genuine, the threat is not; he is living a lie by perceiving risks where none exist.
However, whether the danger is real or imagined, an equally important factor is our perception of our own abilities. A wolf poses a threat, but not to a lion aware of its own might. Similarly, if a king faces a lesser military force—one he knows he can easily defeat—he remains untroubled.
This is why God urges us not to fear: He is with us. With God, we are like a lion that sees a wolf approaching. Whether the dangers are real or imagined, God surpasses them all, and He desires that we become more aware of His presence than of the surrounding circumstances. Believing that a situation can destroy us when God is by our side means we are believing a lie. Let His Word prevail in our hearts as the reality we believe. He commands, “Do not be afraid because I am with you.”
Meditate
Reflect on a current fear or anxiety. What belief or thought is fueling that fear?
Apply the Word
The scriptural antidote to fear is unwavering trust in God’s presence, which promises deliverance from all troubles. Activate your faith.
Pray
Ask the Lord to free you from the lies of fear and anxiety in life.
Recommended
- Two Forms of Servile Fear
- What Triggers Fear and Anxiety in Our Hearts?
- Beware of heart failure from fear
- What is fear?
- They Changed Their Minds
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