What The Bible Says About Fear and Why We Don't Have To
We have had a several questions regarding fear in the aftermath of the Dadeville shootings on April 15, 2023. How do I know there the bad guys are? How do I know they are not where I am? What do I do if it happens to me?
As a mom, you probably never thought you would be answering these questions.
As a girl, you probably never though you would be asking these questions.
We wanted to share with you, in one place, a few times the Bible tells us we do not have to fear and why.
We can find rest in His Word, and even thank Him as we go out and about for His Word that says that He has given His Angels charge over us to protect us wherever we go.
But the point is to not fear. And to trust in our God, and His Goodness, no matter what.
We cannot think that we can live by a formula, and nothing will ever happen. But we are called to walk with Him, trust in Him, And rest and Him in all things.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
No matter where you go, God will always be with you. Even in the worst situations, we are not alone. We do not have to be afraid. Jesus tells us in John 16:33, "In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world." Though we live in a fallen world, Jesus has already won. He has already overcome the worst things of this world. His Victory is ours, even though bad things will still happen. This is not because God causes it, this is because God has given us free will. The choice to choose good also brings the choice to choose evil. Sometimes, we might find ourselves in dangerous places. Whether we knowingly walk into those places, like missionaries called to a dangerous country or a dangerous part of a city, or we walk into a seemingly safe place to only see dangerous events take place. Either place, when God is our Lord, He will be with us wherever we go. We have His Strength, His Courage and we do not have to fear.
"Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for You are with me;
Your Rod and Your Staff,
they comfort me."
Psalm 23:4
Even though we walk into those dark places, we do not have to fear evil because God is with us. His Rod and His Staff comfort us. A shepherd used his rod to fight off animals coming to attack his flock. He also used the rod to direct his flock and prod them when they needed guidance. His staff was used to pull his sheep back in the right direction when they strayed. God is sovereign over our steps and He never leaves us. He directs our steps and He is always with us. This verse tells us we may walk into darkest valleys, but we do not have to fear evil.
"God is our Refuge and Strength,
an ever-present Help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging."
Psalm 46:1-3
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
In God, Whose Word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?"
Psalm 56:3-4
It is not always about not being afraid, but what we do when we are afraid that matters. It is how long we stay afraid that matters. When you are afraid, what do you do? Do you put your trust in the Lord, in God? Do you praise Him and thank Him for His Word? This shows us that His Word is where we can go when we are afraid. When we trust in the Power of God, we do not have to fear the power of man because there is no comparison.
SHADOW OF HIS WINGS
"Because You are my Help I sing in the shadow of your wings." Psalm 63:7
"Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadows of your wings." Psalm 36:6d
You cover us with your feathers, and under your wings we find refuge." Psalm 91:4
"Keep me as the apple of your eye and hide me in the shadow of your wings." Psalm 17:8
Can you imagine just having the freedom and joy to just sing because you know you are protected? We can rejoice and enjoy His Presence in His Safety with no fear of harm? We can do that every day as we allow Him to be our shield and our peace. Yes, bad things will still happen but we can take heart! We can be at peace, we can know He has already overcome the world. God has surrounded us with His Angels ministering to us, protecting us and surrounding us.
"He will cover you with His Feathers,
and under His Wings you will find refuge;
His Faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day.
If you say, “The Lord is my Refuge,”
and you make the Most High your Dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
For He will command His Angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."
Psalm 91:4-5, 9-12
You are covered. You are under His Wings, You have refuge. Jeremiah 29:13 tells us when we look for Him with all of our heart, we will find Him. We will find that we have all that we need in Christ. His Faithfulness shields us. We do not have to fear. We are covered, we are under His Wings, and we are shielded. Even in the scariest circumstances, we are protected. We fear because we feel unprotected. When we feel safe, we have no fear.
Lastly, we want to leave you with this truth from Joseph. This truth we so often quote, but do we believe? Do we believe this truth for our day to life? For our children's day to day life? We can trust Him.
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them." Genesis 50:20-21
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His Purpose." Romans 8:28
We are praying for you.
Walk confidently in the fact that you belong to the One that created the earth and everything in it. You have direct access to Him at all times. Say His Name and there is Power in His Presence and He is our Perfect Peace when our mind is set on Him.
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You." Isaiah 26:3
“I trust You, Jehovah-Shalom.
You are my Peace.”
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