From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible repeatedly warns us to not fear. In scripture after scripture, we are told:
● fear not
● be not afraid
● take courage
● be strong
● do not let your hearts be troubled
Some claim that there are 365 places in the Bible where we are told to not fear, one for each day of the year.
Frankly, I don’t know if that number is right or not. It could be less, or it could be more. The exact number of times we are warned against yielding to fear is not important. But the concept of overcoming fear with our faith IS vitally important!
So let’s begin by getting on the same page in defining fear. What exactly is fear?
FEAR, LIKE FAITH, IS A SPIRITUAL FORCE
The world sees fear as an emotion, simply a reaction to the unknown and uncontrollable circumstances of life.
But fear is much more than a feeling, or an emotion. Fear, like faith, is a spiritual force.
Faith and fear are the absolute polar opposites of each other, like a bar magnet with North and South poles. Each end of the magnet has a different molecular alignment, and therefore a different effect and attraction.
Faith is simply believing that those things we cannot see will come to pass.
Fear is also believing that those things we cannot see will come to pass.
Both faith and fear are expressions of a spiritual principle known as the “law of attraction”.
The law of attraction basically says that whatever we focus on, either positive or negative, will be manifested in our lives through our thoughts, our words, and our actions.
FAITH ALWAYS ATTRACTS THE POSITIVE!
FEAR ALWAYS ATTRACTS THE NEGATIVE!
Faith (trust, hope, and confidence in God) opens the door to opportunities, blessings, and peace.
Fear (worry, anxiety, and self-doubt) invites troubles, obstacles, and turmoil.
Faith, liberates. Fear imprisons. Faith heals. Fear hurts. Faith empowers. Fear paralyzes.
Faith attracts God’s goodness. Fear, like blood in the water to a shark, attracts the enemy’s attacks.
Don’t quite believe it? Let’s ask Job, who was the Biblical personification of misery and defeat. said:
“The worst of my fears has come true, what I’ve dreaded most has happened. My repose is shattered, my peace destroyed. No rest for me, ever—death has invaded life.”
(Job 3:25-26, The Message)
Job was finally delivered when God came on the scene and began to overcome the enemy’s lies with the truth of His Word.
But unfortunately, in the centuries since Job’s adventure, fear has continued to be so effective in defeating God’s people, that it has remained the weapon of choice in the devil’s arsenal.
FEAR NOT WHAT THE WORLD FEARS!
The enemy stealthily uses the force of fear to negatively influence and impact our emotions. Then, he tries to get us to express and animate those negative emotions that were created by fear. Ultimately, he wants to hijack our words, and bring about destruction and despair in our lives.
It’s not wrong to feel fear, but it is extremely dangerous to allow it to dominate and control us. Fear is invasive. Fear is harmful. Fear is highly contagious. And fear can be deadly.
No wonder God is so emphatic when He tells us to “FEAR NOT”!
But, no matter how the world responds to fear, there is a better way. For believers, it’s the way of faith!
“You shall not say ‘it’s too hard’ of everything that this people calls hard; you shall neither dread nor fear that which they fear.”
(Isaiah 8:12, New English Bible)
I love that! I don’t have to dread or fear what the world fears! I am not a victim. I am not the devil’s prey. I am not helpless. I have a Helper! He is my ever-present, ever-ready source of wisdom, power, and peace!
¹ “God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble— more than enough and always available whenever I need you. ² So we will never fear, even if every structure of support were to crumble away. We will not fear even when the earth quakes and shakes, moving mountains and casting them into the sea.”
(Psalms 46:1-2, The Passion Translation)
HE NEVER LEAVES US! WE NEVER FEAR!
Notice the covenantal exchange in these two verses. Abba-Father is absolutely faithful to His promise that He will “NEVER LEAVE us, nor forsake us”, so our response is to NEVER FEAR.
We cannot allow fear to have a stronghold in our minds, not even as much as a foothold. We must break the grip of fear, and totally reject its influence in our lives. We do that by boldly declaring that no matter what happens, we will not live in fear!
Let’s make that declaration of our freedom from fear by making this confession of our faith right now:
“Today, I refuse to fear, because God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. I break every stronghold of anxiety, worry, and fear in my life. Fear has no dominion over me. The Lord is my light and my salvation. I shall not fear. The Lord is the strength of my life. I shall not be afraid. choose to walk by faith and not by sight, knowing that my future is secure in my Father’s hands. In Jesus’ Name, amen!”
(2 Timothy 1:7 and Psalm 27:1)
FREE OF FEAR AND FULL OF FAITH
Now that we have fear on the run, we need to press our advantage. We need to put the force of faith to work in our lives.
The Bible says that, as believers, we already have a “measure of faith”, lying dormant, like a seed, within us. But that seed must be planted, watered, and cultivated, if it us to produce a bountiful harvest of blessings.
We awaken the power of faith within us by meditating in the Word of God. The seed is germinated and planted in the soil of our hearts, where it begins to grow.
” The sower sows the WORD…”
(Mark 4:14)
“We conclude that faith is awakened by the message, and the message that awakens it comes through the WORD of Christ.”
(Romans 10:17, New English Bible)
The seed has been sown, and the crop is being grown, as we continue to water it with the Word.
¹⁰ “As the snow and rain that fall from heaven do not return until they have accomplished their purpose, soaking the earth and causing it to sprout with new life, providing seed to sow and bread to eat. ¹¹ So also will be the word that I speak; it does not return to me unfulfilled. My WORD performs my purpose and fulfills the mission I sent it out to accomplish.”
(Isaiah 55:10-11, The Passion Translation)
Faith comes… by the Word
Peace comes… by the Word
Joy comes… by the Word
Blessings come… by the Word
Healing comes… by the Word
Freedom comes… by the Word
Prosperity comes… by the Word
Strength comes… by the Word
Victory comes… by the Word
WHEN FAITH COMES… FEAR GOES!
“And now I commend you to God, placing you in His protective, loving care, and I commend you to the WORD of His grace [the counsel and promises of His unmerited favor]. His grace is able to build you up and to give you the rightful inheritance among all those who are sanctified [that is, among those who are set apart for God’s purpose—all believers].
(Acts 20:32, Amplified Bible)
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Ours is a labor of love. We have never asked anyone to support this ministry financially. We don’t sell merchandise. We don’t host advertising. We don’t solicit donations. We have never received any income through this site.
Christ is, and will always be, our sufficiency, meeting all of our needs.
But we have humbly asked, and do ask again, that our readers would generously support our ministry Partners in the Philippines, Student Life Organization, Inc.
God has given Co-Founders Ian Rustia and Anne Ruiz a clear vision and an open door to reach many in their nation, and beyond, with the love of Christ. They powerfully and faithfully demonstrate His love through outreaches to the needy, the marginalized, and the often forgotten… children and young people with disabilities and special needs, and their families.
SLOI has only been incorporated as a non-profit ministry for slightly more than a year, yet they have already produced much fruit for the kingdom of God. Grace and I consider it a privilege to share in their work, and we earnestly ask that you would join us in supporting their ministry through your prayers and giving.
PLEASE DO THESE THREE THINGS:
Pray for the continued success of this ministry and that God would supply every need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Check out and subscribe to the SLOI website to learn more about their latest outreaches and ministry events. You may do this by clicking on this link:
NEWS FLASH! The SLOI Newsletter is now featured on our site! Just click on the button found on the homepage!
Please give generously to support this ministry. You may do so through the Paypal link to their newly opened ministry account:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/studentlifeinc2025
⁶ “Remember this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously, that blessings may come to someone will also reap generously and with blessings.
⁷ Let each one give as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver whose heart is in his giving.
⁸ And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].
⁹ As it is written, he [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; he gives to the poor; his deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!”
(2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-9, AMPC)
Thank you! We pray that you will experience God’s richest blessings as you give freely and cheerfully in Jesus’ name!
Joe and Grace
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