Fighting Fear With Fear

Fear. What does it look like, feel like? There’s the fear that creeps in when we’re watching a scary movie. Or perhaps you are facing the fear of something much more serious like losing your job or not making rent. My heart has been aching thinking of the fear our brothers and sisters in Ukraine are currently facing with Russia’s invasion. No doubt there are serious, real challenges that bring fear into our life. There are also less serious things that we fear, like the fear of what someone may think if we tell them what we actually believe. Recently, I have been thinking of the latter, about how to battle the fear of being bold in our faith as our culture is rapidly changing. This post explores what the Bible says about fear and story about how I benefited from someone else’s courage. Let’s see what scripture says first.

            Scripture commands us to fear the Lord. Just this morning, I came across this verse in Proverbs, “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death” (14:27, NIV). A fountain of life? How can fear be a fountain of life? In scripture, we see two different types of fear. One is to be avoided or submitted to God, and the other is to be desired and draws us nearer to God. Let’s take a look at these two types:

Fear to be avoided:

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)

In both of these verses, we see that God does not desire us to fear the things of this world. We are to trust God with the challenges that arise and the obstacles that surround us. In Isaiah, God reminds Israel that they are His chosen people, and they should not fear their enemies because He is their source of strength. Likewise, in 1 Timothy, God is reminding his children that His desire is not for us to live with a “spirit of fear,” but of a sound mind knowing that He is with us.  This type of fear is very different from the type of fear the Bible tells us to possess.

Fear to desire:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7, ESV).

“And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation” (Luke 1:50, ESV)

  This verse in Luke comes from Mary’s song of praise after she becomes pregnant with Jesus. Mary was an unmarried virgin teenager who miraculously became pregnant and had every right to be fearful of her circumstances which could have led to her death as punishment. Yet, her fear was righteous and granted her peace in her situation. She feared God. This type of fear may be better understood as reverence or awe of God. Coming before the Lord in humility and understanding your position before him. 

            I have been reading a book by Elliot Clark titled Evangelicals as Exiles. The author lived as a church planter and missionary in Central Asia and wrote this book as an encouragement and challenge to Christians today living in his homeland of the United States. In his own words, the book addresses, “how we live on mission when we’re strangers and sojourners in our own land. It’s about how we present the gospel and represent Christ when we lose our positions of cultural power an influence, when the world has pushed us to the margins, when those around us oppose the message we’re called to proclaim” (21). 

In chapter 2, he addresses the fear that Christians often face when sharing the gospel. We don’t share because we are afraid of being “weird,” rejected, or embarrassed. Yet, Clark challenges readers that the anecdote to this type of fear is fear. Everyone faces the fear of rejection. You may also face the fear of losing your job because you stood up for what you believed in. You may fear losing friends or Instagram followers because what you believe is no longer socially acceptable. Yet, as Christians, our fear should look different from the world’s fear. As Clark puts it, “In a world teeming with reasons to be terrified, the only rightful recipient of our fear, according to Peter, is God. So as we consider our heart-disposition in speaking with neighbors and friends about Christ, we must keep this distinction in our minds: We fear God, not people” (63).

  As the recipient of someone who was bold in their faith, I want to share with you a story. 10 years ago, before I was a Christian, I was visiting my boyfriend in Chicago (spoiler, we are now married!). I had just graduated from college, moved to Denver, and desperately needed a job. I had just had a successful interview and felt confident I had scored the position. I was out shopping and walking down the river walk of Chicago when my phone rang. I didn’t get the job. Again. My heart sank, and I was full of despair and fear of my financial situation. The tears streamed down my face. 

I was surrounded by people, yet I felt alone, scared, and overwhelmed. I couldn’t control my emotions and remember just weeping uncontrollably. A woman approached me to ask if I was ok. Let me just say that in a big city, this rarely ever happens. Most people avoid eye contact and continue on their way. She asked me to sit down, and through tears, I tried to tell her why I was crying. She asked if she could pray for me, and I said yes. She prayed over me on a bench in the middle of downtown as people passed by. That day, I didn’t turn to God. It would take another 18 months of him working on my heart. Yet after I did give my life to Him, I remembered this day. I remembered that He had always been there. He had been putting people in my path to draw me to Him. 

            I imagine this woman felt a prompting by the Holy Spirit to approach me. Maybe she thought, “God, this is going to be so awkward. What if she yells at me or pushes me away? What if she is offended or thinks I am crazy?” Yet, she obeyed. I am so grateful for her “yes” because this prayer reminded me that I wasn’t alone and that God saw me. Just like in Luke 15, when one of the sheep goes astray, the shepherd, Jesus, goes out to look for it, throws it over his shoulder, and brings it back home. I was that lost sheep. I have no doubt that even if that lady had said “no” to God, He would have still brought me home. God doesn’t need us, but He graciously allows us to participate in his redemptive plan and bring him glory on earth.

            So my question to you today is what or who are you fearing? Is your fear in the right place? Is it pointing you towards an almighty, powerful Savior who will stop at nothing to bring home his lost sheep? Or do you find yourself afraid to be bold in your faith for fear of man? Are you listening to the promptings that God is giving you? Are you asking for opportunities to partner with Him in the redemption of the world? That woman could have been really into her podcast or running late to a meeting and avoided dealing with this hot mess young woman crying on the street. I am so thankful that she stopped. If you are struggling to move forward with what God is calling you to because of fear, fear God more. I want to encourage you that having your fear in the right place will give you the courage you need to follow those promptings. And when you follow those promptings, no matter the outcome, you will have peace knowing that what God has called you to, He will carry you through.