Are you afraid of what’s going on in the world? The amount of what looks like unrestrained evil does give one pause. Most people are afraid of something: death, financial ruin, assault, business crisis, family conflict, marriage woes, and the list could go on and on. As a whole, our culture is full of anxiety, depression, stress, and mental delusion.
Some days it’s difficult not to be afraid of where this is all leading. Of course, we have confidence that God is in control no matter how out of control the world seems to be (Psalm 103:19; Daniel 4:35). But sometimes that confidence gets a little shaky and seems a bit removed from our day-to-day needs and experiences. There is a solution to this overwhelming fear.
God’s Word provides the solution for whatever you are going through. Maybe you won’t find the specific details of your circumstances, but I promise you can find the wisdom and principles to give you clarity in your situation and lead you through it. The Word of God is a light in the darkness of this life (Psalm 119:105; John 1:5). When a child is afraid, a single light can make all the shadows disappear and all the monsters scatter. One light dispels everything they fear. How much more will the light of Jesus force out all the fears in your heart?
When the trials and evils of this world threaten to overwhelm your senses, why are you so resistant to opening the Bible? Are you afraid you might find an answer you don’t want to hear? Are you afraid something you read might convict you of your own participation in the sins of the world? A sinful heart is a dark heart, and a dark heart is one that isn’t permitting the light of Jesus to shine through. We are to live as children of light, not as those who walk in darkness (Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5). The first step in defeating fear is to repent and let the blood of Jesus cleanse your heart (1 John 1:7).
The Word of God is explicit in saying that perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). That’s a great verse to memorize, but perhaps it feels a little too easy for you? Could it be that simple? God is the epitome of love, and God knows no fear (2 Timothy 1:7). Perhaps if we loved more like Jesus, we wouldn’t have time to be bothered by external fears. A life focused on Christ alone is a life impervious to temporary and irrelevant fears (Colossians 3:2–3). God loves you with an immeasurable love (John 3:16; 1 John 3:1). Soak in that love and allow it to wash away your fears.
Are you afraid? Read your Bible. God’s Word has all the answers you are looking for. He promises to never leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5), and to always be closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). He is our refuge in the storm (Psalm 46:1) and a firm foundation for our lives (Matthew 7:24–25). Nothing can separate us from the love of God; no evil, no government, no law, no demonic force–nothing (Romans 8:35–39)! You don’t need to be afraid. God is bigger than any problem you will ever face (Isaiah 41:10). He is more powerful than Satan and even more powerful than death itself (Hebrews 2:14-15). Our God is indeed an awesome God (Psalm 47:2), and we have nothing to fear.