If you had to guess the most common command in the Bible, what would you say? Love your neighbor? Pray? Actually, it’s ‘Do not be afraid!’ Throughout the Bible, that command is given over 200 times (people disagree on the exact number, and I haven’t counted them all). That seems like a pretty significant command to me. It also seems like an impossible one if we take it at face value.
I wonder what you are afraid of? Common fears include spiders, heights, and the dark. Many people also fear failure, being alone, or being rejected. Fear can be all-consuming, affecting our decisions, our relationships, and even our faith. It can lead to running away, freezing, screaming, or some other unconscious and irrational reaction.
So, a command to ‘not be afraid’ feels as impossible as being told to stop breathing. After all, fear is an instinct, not a choice. In fact, fear is healthy because it keeps us safe. So maybe what the command really means is, ‘Don’t let fear rule your mind.’ It’s often combined with a message of reassurance from God, reminding us that we are not alone.
Today, I was reflecting on a verse from Isaiah 41: ‘So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’
There is plenty in the world to be afraid of. Even the future can be a daunting prospect. The context of this verse is a prophecy for the future, and God is reassuring the listener that they won’t be left to face it alone. That applies to us. When we look around the world and see terrifying events, when our futures are uncertain, we can rely on God to be there for us now and in His promises for a future with Him.
With that in mind, I spent some time reflecting on what I’m afraid of right now – there are a couple of big things! – and asking God for help to face them. Fear, while sometimes a healthy response, can also be a crippling emotion. By sharing my fears with God, I genuinely felt a sense of peace about facing them. The fear didn’t go away, but it did shrink internally and no longer felt like this huge obstacle. God doesn’t just tell us to stop being afraid, He gives us a reason not to be. His presence, His strength, and His promises are the antidote to fear.
If fear is weighing you down today, why not take a moment to tell God about it? You don’t have to carry it alone. He promises to hold you steady.
The Reason for my Hope Blog 