Although many men don’t like to admit it, at some time or another we all become fearful. Some of the more common types of fear include:

• Fear of failure
• Fear of intimacy with others
• Fear of the unknown
• Fear of physical danger
• Fear for your loved ones
• Fear of financial loss
• Fear of illness or death
• Fear of losing one’s job
• Fear of fully trusting God

As I am writing this, we’re in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, around which numerous fears have spawned and lurk.

While some fear is healthy and warranted, the fear we’re talking about here is dangerous and destructive. Most fear is fear of “what might happen.” In other words, it’s just conjecture. It’s hypothetical. It’s fantasy, yet we accept it as being very real. This kind of fear paralyzes and cripples, preventing us from moving forward. When we fear something, we give it power and our fears take over, controlling our thoughts, decisions, and actions.

From a spiritual standpoint, we can see from this why the Lord tells us to fear Him only (Deuteronomy 6:13). When we allow fear to control our lives and attitudes, we are giving it authority that is not warranted or deserved. Hence, our fears can become a sort of idolatry.

Paul told Timothy, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) The antidote for fear is not the avoidance of risk, but to embrace risk with a sound mind, and with love for the Lord and others through God’s power.

Here are three actions for finding strength in the Lord in the face of fear:

1. Pray to the Lord for boldness and strength. Admit your fears to Him
   and trust Him.
2. Find strength and encouragement in God’s Word. Mighty men of valor like Joshua, Gideon, and David all experienced fears. Discover how they overcame their fears.
3. Meet with a spiritual partner or confidant. Tell them about your fears and pray with and for each other.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 10:28-31

Personal Application: Where in your life are you prone to fear right now? Apply those three actions above to beat your fear.

    Jim Grassi, D. Min.

We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5