What strikes fear in your heart? For my sister who celebrated her birthday last weekend it might be a spider. For you, it could be losing your job. Or perhaps the very thought of your significant other walking away from you. What else? Cancer? There are a great many things we might fear. A little fear can be healthy, but the kind of fear that paralyzes, that keeps us up every night with worry, that keeps us from doing what we know is right must be overcome. Thankfully, God gives us guidance on breaking through fear, and promises help along the way.

To fight your fears requires endurance, awareness and assurance.

When every person has a sin nature, the possibility of living a life free of fear and suffering is nill. Add to that a spiritual enemy working against us, and a world predisposed to hate the followers of God (Matthew 10.22). Living in the world means facing many fearful circumstances, not for a moment only but oftentimes for years. Overcoming fear requires endurance. James 1.4 tells us “And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.” Never give up on God’s rescue plan.

Assisting us in overcoming our fear is an awareness of our unique position as children of God. Yes, that position makes us a target to many but it also gives us a strength that unbelievers will never know. Matthew 28.18 tells us that all authority in heaven and on earth has been granted to Jesus, the one we serve. If we are blameless in the situation, then we have no fear of its outcome. Even if the worst happens, God has something else in store. The more aware we are of our position, in the situation and before God, the less we have to fear.

We want to assure our position is secure. It is written in Hebrews 13.5: “Your conduct must be free from the love of money and you must be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.” We are always God’s children, but we must remain in Him. This is a part of our position, remaining in God. If we do so, we have God’s own assurance that he will neither leave nor forsake us. The situation will be as it was for Joshua and the children of Israel (Joshua 1.9), ⁴ “I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do.”

Fear is a very real emotion and one that ought to be prepared for. Many emotions come in a rush and are difficult to control much less prepare for. Anger, for instance, is known to flare up instantly, as can jealousy. But fear is (usually) a creeping sensation that overwhelms us slowly, unless it’s a really big spider in the shower. That said, by developing our ability to endure, by becoming aware of our situation and our God, and by reviewing all His loving assurances we can be prepared for most every situation that may strike fear in our hearts, and continue to act righteously and faithfully.