Be Not Afraid

I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4

Why do some people like haunted houses and horror movies so much? Apparently we get a rush of adrenaline when we know the threat is pretend just as when we perceive the threat as real. Personally I feel the real world is scary enough. I no longer enjoy fake scares very much. But when it comes to real fear, the Bible gives hundreds of admonitions to “fear not;” “be not afraid;” “be strong and of good courage.”

The world also preaches a philosophy of no fear. It’s even a brand, literally— No Fear. And if I mention the Nike swoosh, I’m sure everyone can see it in their minds, and probably also imagine those three little words underneath it. Our popular culture values courage and overcoming fear. So what’s the difference in their approach and God’s?

Fear is mentioned five times in Psalm 34:4-11. In verse four it says, “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Wow, that’s great! Deliverance from fear! But notice the psalmist doesn’t say he was delivered from all danger. God helped him overcome the fear itself. And also notice what preceded that deliverance: seeking the Lord.

The world will try to encourage us with logic

and emotion

but it’s still up to the individual to overcome. Without God, we’re pretty much left to our own strength to overcome our fears.

Personally I like my chances with God a whole lot better.

But also consider that the world doesn’t care what you’re afraid of. Our culture often preaches the doctrine of “it’s not hurting anyone” to go along with their no fear policy.

Think about it. If I’m afraid to share the gospel with my new unbelieving friend, and you say to me, “Christie, have no fear. Just do it,” that is good advice. But if I tell you I’m contemplating leaving my husband and children to run off to California and follow my dream of becoming a movie star, and you tell me, “Have no fear. Just do it,” that is terrible advice! (By the way, no need to worry. I would never move to California. 😉 )

But the world doesn’t typically care if you leave your family, or join a cult, or get a sex change operation, or lie to get ahead in business, or send nude photos of yourself on Snapchat. Just do it! NO FEAR

When the Bible tells us not to fear, it’s talking about when we’re afraid to do the right thing, or perhaps when we’re afraid to take a risk because we’re not sure what God wants us to do, like take the new job or stick with the current one.

When the world talks about having no fear, at its best it’s encouraging us to be brave based on our own gumption. At its worst it encourages us to have no fear of God or the consequences of our actions, but to have the “courage” to make our own rules and become gods unto ourselves.

Returning to Psalm 34, after it talks about deliverance from all fears, there are four mentions of fearing the Lord! If there is one thing we should fear, it’s the Lord! And that means fearing the consequences of going against His word and His ways.

When we learn to “order” our fears correctly, God promises to deliver us from their power. This doesn’t mean we’ll never experience fear again, but that we’ll learn how to evaluate perceived threats. Many of the things we fear in this life are actually just fake scares disguised as real by Satan.

The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.
Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Psalm 34:7-11

Dear Heavenly Father, there are so many dangers in this world. It is easy to be afraid. Please increase my commitment to seeking You. I know that You are the source of deliverance from my fears. Help me to be more afraid of dishonoring You than of anything this world might do to me. Please forgive my sins and save me from the wrath to come. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

by Christie Cole Atkins