Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself

I’m so grateful that early in my Christian life, I was shown that courage is not necessarily the absence of fear—that they can run side by side, and generally do. Courage is simply going on by faith in spite of fear. We are told in the Scriptures “by faith they feared not.” I have been plagued by a fearful spirit since I was a small boy. Learning the above truth, after my conversion, has helped me tremendously. Also, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

How often we fear the intangible—a nameless dread grips and numbs our spirits. We seem to be afraid of anything and everything. We fear people, the past, and the future. We are fearful of the unknown, of undertaking responsibilities, and making decisions. If not careful, we can live a lifetime of fear. The writer of Hebrews describes such people. He says, “...through fear...were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Fear paralyzes. John tells us “fear hath torments.” But, thank God, we no longer have to be held in this vice of fearfulness. “He hath said, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE. So that we may boldly say...I WILL NOT FEAR.” During those fearful times, like Elijah’s, “great and strong wind…earthquake…and fire,” listen for that “still small voice,” “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”

Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway.  (John Wayne)