The Substance of Things Worried About

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? (Psalm 118:6)

Fear can stop the boldest person in their tracks. Someone created an acronym suggesting that FEAR stands for False Evidence Appearing Real, which fits well. Fear is distorted faith. It is the belief that something bad will happen, even though it hasn’t yet. Just as faith is the substance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1), fear is the substance of things worried about. 

The Bible is filled with commands not to fear. Now, I hate to burst Internet bubbles, but I have seen posts online claiming the Bible says, “Fear not” 365 times, one for each day of the year. While that’s a comforting thought, it isn’t true. However, it remains a strong biblical theme. Phrases such as “Fear not,” “Do not fear,” or “Do not be afraid” occur about 100 times from Genesis to Revelation. If you add promises of God’s protection or commands, like the one God gave Joshua to be strong and courageous, you could count about 300. The number isn’t what matters; it’s the substance of God’s truth. Those who trust in God should not fear!

The psalmist in Psalm 118:6 had already made up his mind: he would not fear because the Lord was on his side. So, you see, the Bible doesn’t command you not to fear just as a matter of will, but as a fact. When the Creator of the Universe is with you, how can you lose? So, don’t let Satan scare you. Remember that God is on your side, and He is bigger and more powerful than the devil. John told believers to remember that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4) When fear arises, resist it! 

Practical Application

President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously stated, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” He was addressing a nation facing the Great Depression, but this statement remains true today for believers. When you know that the God of all creation is on your side, the only thing that can hold power over you is fear. Satan understands this and uses fear to intimidate believers. But greater is He that is in you!

Hebrews 13:6; Psalm 56:4