Psalm 56:3
There is a very popular verse in the book of Philippians which begins with: “Be anxious for nothing….” If you are not familiar, I encourage you to read the book of Philippians and find it. It’s a very short read.
And it goes on to encourage us to pray and make our requests known to God, assuring us of the peace from Him which will then comfort us. I have found this to be true. I will testify of feeling the peace and comfort of God overshadow and suppress the fears that were plaguing my heart—even recently I experienced this. Praise God!
Now then, let us contend with some misconceptions.
As is always the case with Scripture, there are some who like to read everything stated in every place as divine command, instead of reading it for what it is based upon a plain acknowledgment of relevant facts (e.g. a letter to other believers). That is to say, some make basic exhortations and encouraging statements made in love and care from
one man to another, into a matter of right and wrong, of the breaking of God’s Holy law.
In most cases this is done, I trust it is a matter of being young and dumb in the faith, or perhaps it is a matter of self-exaltation, when the proclaimer of such ridiculousness supposes they are actually living up to their legalism. Whatever the case: Being fearful, in and of itself, is not automatically a sin (as some like to say), the violation of God’s commandments such us dishonoring your mother and father.
I said all that to say this: We all (unless you are very special) will struggle with fear at some point. Do not make the matter worse by supposing the fear itself is accounted as sin to you (though it could be a result of sin—a topic for some other time); rather do this: press into God and go to war to submit to and trust Him, in all your life, in all your circumstances.
Listen now to Paul, the same man who said “be anxious for nothing,” in another place.
“For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.”
II Corinthians 7:5 NKJV
Odd that Paul should be violating his own command. Yet not really. It wasn’t a command to begin with as in law; it was an encouragement, an exhortation to the Philippians, in teaching a mechanism to overcome fear.
Therefore:
For the honest man, and sincere believer, it’s not a question of if we will face fear, but when.
Accept it.
Expect it.
Take it to God. This is the way men of faith have always warred with fear—by faith. Faith in deliverance, or faith in perseverance, or faith in death, in all things, trust and hope in God, in that upon our surrender, He will take care of us regardless of outcomes.
Great msg. It’s like looking at 1 Cor 13 and feeling condemned because I missed the mark. The whole point is to reach for the mark of the high calling, not to beat myself with it. Sin is no longer an issue. Jesus bore all sin on the cross, and then rose from the dead, to present His holiness before the Father. I’m not weak because I have fear. I look into the eyes of love, who cast out all fear.
That was such a powerful message brother. Thank you for reminding us that fear itself isn’t sin but rather an opportunity to draw nearer to God. Like you said, we all face moments when fear tries to take over but faith calls us to surrender those fears at His feet. I really liked how you pointed to Paul’s honesty about his own struggles that makes the encouragement in Philippians even more real and relatable. God doesn’t condemn us for feeling afraid He invites us to trust Him in the middle of it. When I am afraid I put my trust in You Psalm 56:3 The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear Psalm 27:1 For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind 2 Timothy 1:7 Thank you again for this encouragement. May God strengthen us all to walk in faith even when fear tries to whisper otherwise.