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"What is Fear?" 01/07/25

Writer's picture: Matthew DeneaultMatthew Deneault

Dear Church,


The resignation of Justin Trudeau brings with it uncertainty for the Canadian people. Trudeau's resignation, allows the Liberal party to rebrand under a new face and stalls the election process at a time of great need for Canada. Yet, nothing has changed, the need for a new government remains. Some things we can do, such as speak to our elected officials, urging them to do all they can to see an election as soon as possible. Yet, for the most part we can only watch and wait and pray. 


The uncertainty of the future (election and otherwise) can stir up fear in our hearts. Yet, in Christ we are not prey to our worst fears. 

 In Christ, by the Spirit through HIs word, we are able to understand and respond to our fears in a godly manner. 


God has something to say to us when we are afraid. He speaks about fear more than He speaks to any other emotion. In fact, the most frequent command or plea in the Bible is "do not be afraid” or “do not fear" and with these commands, he gives many reasons for us to grow in courage and faith in a world with many fearful things.


Now, before we go any further, we would do well to answer the question,

What is fear?

 

In one sense, fear is a prediction of the future. Fear says "life is going to get worse because of _____________." The constant refrain of fear is "What If…”

 

Many fears might be legitimate and reasonable fears (such as a fear of falling, when you are on top of a cliff). When a fear has some basis in reality, it acts as a God-given warning system telling us “Watch out, be careful.” But whenever fear controls us rather than faith in God and His will, that fear becomes sinful (see Romans 14:23 & Hebrews 11:6)


Q. How do we know when our fear is unhealthy or controlling?

A.   Often the clearest sign of an unhealthy or controlling fear, is when we become unwilling to do something, we know we should do. When we obey our fear rather than God, we have chosen sin, rebellion against God (James 4:17).

 

But fear is not only a 'prediction of the future.' 

Fear is also our response when what we value is in jeopardy." Fear is our response when something we want, or something we think is important is 'at risk.' So for example, someone may fear the result of their biopsy, because they value life and they do not wish their lives to end with the painful trial of cancer. A mother may fear for the health of her child, because she loves her child. The new girl in school is afraid, because she values relationships, but she has no friends. A man may fear losing his job for refusing to participate in something unethical, because he is concerned about how he will provide for his family.

 

Our fears warn us, when our treasures are in trouble, then the "what if" cycle of anxious thoughts start up as we seek to try to hold onto whatever it is that we value.

 

The hard truth is that we will be afraid. The hard truth is that we are weak and limited people with very little control over our surroundings. David's honesty is refreshing in an anxious world. He does not say "If I am afraid..." but "WHEN I AM AFRAID ..." (Psalm 56:4). It has rightly been said that Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to persevere in spite of fear. Does fear paralyze you? Don't quit. Acknowledge your fears and your weaknesses, and turn to the Lord for help.

 

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the

ability to persevere even when we are afraid."

 

As you think about your fears, ask yourself "where is my fear directed?

If fear is a reflection of our desires, we ought to reflect on what we value. Not all desires are bad: the desire for life, and work, and family are all good things. We shouldn't be glad to lose our job and be unable to provide for our family or get excited by the thought of death (that would be bizarre & unhealthy). BUT when we value Christ and His eternal kingdom above even these earthly goods, these earthly worries become less significant. They don’t control us as they once did, because we are living for a city, a home, a kingdom beyond this world. In every fear, the question is do I love and trust God, EVEN if ________?” Into every fear, God asks us to be willing to follow him. And He promises NEVER TO ABANDON THOSE WHO TRUST IN  HIM (see Hebrews 13:5-8).

 

Grace and Peace,

 

Matt

P.S. This devotional was adapted from a series of devotionals on fear that I wrote back in 2021. The devotionals were based in part on sections of Wayne and Joshua Mack’s book Courage: Fighting Fear with Fear. Over the next three weeks, I’ll be sharing an updated version of my original devotionals. 

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