Fear is undeniably powerful—even to some of history’s most powerful people.
Julius Caesar, to whom the shouts of the enemy were but sweet music, was mortally afraid of the sound of thunder and always wanted to be underground to escape the dreadful noise. Marshal Saxe, who loved to look upon the ranks of opposing armies, fled and screamed in terror at the sight of a cat. Peter the Great could scarcely be persuaded to cross a bridge, and whenever he placed his foot on one, he would cry out in fear.
The Bible has its share of famous fearful people, too. Moses was one of them. Born in Egypt, raised in Pharaoh’s household, and given the education of kings, he was hesitant to obey God’s command in Exodus 4 to deliver the children of Israel because he was fearful he wasn’t the right man for the job.
Yet Moses learned that God takes what we’re afraid of and uses it to relieve our fears and empower us to overcome and succeed. The devil, Martin Luther later said, has a different strategy: he makes us feel secure in our pride and shortcomings, that we might eventually be overwhelmed with fear and despair.
So what is God’s remedy for fear? It’s found in 2 Timothy 1:7, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (ESV) A deeper look at each one reveals that He’s provided:
- Power, which enables you to rely on His strength and operate in His truth when confronted with F.E.A.R. – False Expectations Appearing Real.
- Love, which overcomes all fear because you know that He cares for you so much that He sent His Son to the cross to die for you.
- Self-control, which comes from thinking correctly on “things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:2-3 ESV)
No longer allow perception to be your reality, and you’ll find your fears—even in the hard times—will fade away in the light of God’s presence in your life.
