Not Afraid

“He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.” (Psalm 112:7)

I was recently talking with some friends about fear and we concluded that fear comes to everyone, but, what makes a difference is how we respond to it. Do we let it take control and influence our words and actions? Or do we choose to trust God in that situation, even as fear is pounding loudly at the door of our hearts and minds? Over time, I have come to understand that when we give in to fear, we show that we do not fully trust God. And the writer of this Psalm tells us that those who are not afraid of what will come have set their hearts on the Lord and they trust in Him.

There is probably more to say about fear, but, one thing I know is that fear can be overcome and that there is power in the Word of God. What we need to remember is that fear is not from God first of all (this is different than the fear of the Lord which we should have). Also, we can fight back against fear with the truth of God’s Word (Ephesians 6:17). Read it, meditate on it, and speak the Word of God out loud - verses such as Romans 8:15, 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 John 4:18, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 23, Psalm 27, Psalm 46, Psalm 91. Another reminder is that Jesus has victory over all the powers of the enemy (Colossians 2:15) and the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4). And, as we face each situation in life we can choose to trust in the Lord, despite the fear we might feel (Psalm 56:3). The reality is that fear will come again and again, but, God is bigger and greater than any fear or tactic of the enemy, therefore we can place our trust in Him.