The One Thing To Do When Fear Comes Calling

Just when I think I’ve whipped it, it comes back, rearing its ugly head again. Cold, hard fear grips me.

Not fear of someone breaking in. Not fear, really, of physical issues. But fear of so many other things. 

Fear of failure. 

Fear of what someone will think of my present choices or my past. 

Fear I’m not a good enough mother, wife, or Christian.

Fear I’ve chosen the wrong gift, the wrong word to say (or write), the wrong direction for my life. 

Fear of my daughter’s future.

Sometimes it masks itself more like the melancholy or depression. Oh, but the root of those feelings is usually fear.

As despair and anxiety enfold my heart, the enemy sneers. I can almost feel his glee. Satan’s insidious plan—to fill our lives with things to lose, areas of regret, doubt in our future—it’s working well. 

I fall hard for his trap, his lies.

You have nothing to offer. You’re worthless. Look at your past, how can God use you? How many times have you yelled at your children or criticized your spouse?

Do you tend to fall too? 

It hurts doesn’t it? 

Drown Fear

But we don’t have to stay hurt. We don’t have to remain fallen. Just as He did for Peter when he was drowning (Matthew 14:30-31), Jesus reaches out His hand. He beckons, “take hold.” He pulls us from the waters of fear. 

The partial truth of Satan rings true to our aching ears. He sprinkles truth in his barrage of lies. It sounds right. But it’s not.

Listen to the full truth:

• We are inadequate, but we have an Advocate who is more than adequate.
• We have failed (and will continue to do so in our earthly lives), but we know the One who never has, and He offers us His righteousness. 
• We aren’t worthy of forgiveness or mercy or love, but God offers it anyway, with no strings attached. 

See, the truth is I do have much to fear on my own, but as a Christian, I’m not left on my own. The most glorious full truth: In me I am weak, oh so weak; but in Jesus, my weakness transforms to strength. 

The most glorious truth: Fear has no hold in the lives of those kept by Jesus Christ. 

The most glorious truth is that in me I am weak, oh so weak; but in Jesus, my weakness transforms to strength. Therefore, fear has no hold in the lives of those kept by Jesus Christ. Click To Tweet

So when I feel fear’s strangle hold, when you do, claim the righteousness of the Messiah as your own. When anxiety and despair paralyzes, wrap yourself in the cloak of His glory you’ve inherited. 

For in Christ you are no longer a victim but a conqueror. You are no longer inept, dirty, and worthless but capable, purified, and worthy.

Don’t take my word for it. Read these assurances from our Lord.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,  though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah Psalm 46:1-3

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

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. Isaiah 41:10

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I praise Him with my song. Psalm 28:7

Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. Psalm 16:5-6

Rest in the comfort of His Word. And when fear invades again, and it likely will, do as I am, drown it in a good dose of the glorious full truth. 

Live a fearless life of one redeemed. 

Rest in the comfort of God's Word. And when fear invades drown it in a good dose of the glorious full truth of your righteousness and shelter in Christ. Live a fearless life of one redeemed. Click To Tweet

Reflection: Have you recognized fear in your life? What Scripture verse most speaks to you?