Do not be afraid. This is a phrase that the Lord Jesus liked to say to his disciples. Faced with certain situations, in the presence or absence of the Lord Jesus, the apostles tended to become anxious, and fear set in. But when they heard the Lord’s voice, the fear faded and calm returned.
What is fear?
Fear is a feeling common to all mortals. It reflects the anguish we feel when faced with real or imagined danger. Danger means fear. The synonyms associated with it are fear, dread, terror, fright, etc. Fear is destructive because it does nothing to reassure a person. That’s why the evil one uses it against us, to prevent us from being fully fulfilled and living a peaceful life as God wishes.
Discerning fear from the fear of God
Earlier, we saw that one of the synonyms for fear is awe. But the fear we’re talking about right now isn’t fear in the face of danger. It’s about respect for the supremacy of the Most High God. The Bible defines the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom (Psalms 111:10). Fear here does not lead us to fear, but rather to enter into an environment where wisdom is constantly shared with us. Fearing God is not something dangerous, unlike fear. What God wants is our well-being, and what he expects in return is that we show him love and respect. In this way, we show him that we fear him and recognize his supremacy.
Fear, the engine of loss
When the Lord Jesus tells us not to be afraid, it’s because He knows that fear can lead us to loss. Fear is something unhealthy that can lead us to make decisions contrary to God’s will. And what’s contrary to God’s will causes us to lose what God has for us. God’s will is that we lose nothing of what he has given us (cf. John 6:39).
Fear, witness to faith
When the Lord Jesus tells us not to be afraid, it’s because He knows that fear bears witness to faith. To have faith is to trust. It’s believing that everything will work out for the best, not doubting even when the opposite appears. When danger arises, it’s our faith that’s put to the test. If doubt takes over from trust, then fear sets in. And once fear has set in, we realize that we have not trusted God enough, that we have lacked faith. (cf. Matthew 14:19-31)
Fear, a reminder tool
When the Lord Jesus tells us not to be afraid, it’s to remind us that in spite of everything, the Lord is with us. God knows the weakness of our flesh, the lack of faith we can have when faced with certain situations, the devil’s attempts to make us doubt and lead us to loss, … He knows that there will come times when we will be afraid, when our faith will not be at its best, when life’s trials will lead us into anguish and fear, but he has given this word to the Lord for us: do not be afraid. For us, this reminder means that the Lord is in control of our situation and state (cf. Isaiah 41:10). This reminder is synonymous with renewed faith and trust in God (cf. Joshua 1:9). This reminder is synonymous with strength and courage (cf. Deuteronomy 31:6).
Fear is certainly something we will share throughout our time on this earth, but it must never be an occasion for us to fall. The Lord, through the Lord Jesus, calls us not to be afraid, for he is with us, no matter what the situation. So, if faced with a dangerous situation, fear sets in, let’s turn our eyes to the Lord, confess his word so as not to let fear get the upper hand (cf. Proverb 12:25) and give Him all the glory, for He is in control and takes care of us (cf. 1 Peter 5:7).
Bless you
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