In Christ, You Need Not be Afraid

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline

(2 Timothy 1:7).

What’s your biggest fear? Snakes? Planes? Snakes on a Plane?

Regardless of what it is, every one of us is afraid of something.

According to a quick Google search, the top ten fears of people are:

Speaking before a Group
Heights
Insects and bugs
Financial problems
Deep water
Sickness
Death
Flying
Loneliness
Dogs

Chances are, you can relate to at least one of these.

If there’s one fear on this list I relate to, it’s the fear of loneliness. I wonder at times if God’s plan for my life is for me to remain unmarried indefinitely, which causes me to fear the loneliness I assume will come with long-term singleness.

But God has not given us a spirit of fear, which means we no longer have anything to truly be fearful about. 

Nonetheless, fear remains a part of our lives.

In order to understand this dichotomy, we need to recognize that there are two types of fear:

Legitimate Fear (fear of a very real and present danger).
Illegitimate Fear (fear of an imagined or assumed danger).

When fear sneaks back into our lives as believers, it’s always illegitimate fear. It’s fear that is not based on the truth.

Ultimately, it’s a sign that we are not trusting that God will keep His word.

Let’s look at the top-10 list again. How many of those fears are still legitimate fears once we hold them up to the truth of Scripture?

Do we still need to fear financial ruin if we recognize that God has promised to meet all our needs?

Do we need to be afraid of death (which is ultimately what the fear of heights, deep water, and many other fears are about), if we understand that death doesn’t separate us from God but releases into glorious eternity with Him? Is death something we need to be afraid of, or is death a blessing for those who are in Christ?

Once we recognize how Jesus has set us free from any legitimate reason to be afraid, our fears are all exposed as illegitimate.

When I put my focus back on the truth of God’s love for me, I can recognize that I’m not lonely—even now, in the midst of my singleness. The love I receive from my friends, my family, and from God Himself is more than enough to satisfy my hearts desire for companionship. 

This is how trusting in the truth of God’s love sets me free from my fear of loneliness.

So the next time you are afraid, look to the truth of Scripture and see what God says about whatever is frightening you. Perhaps you will discover that, thanks to the Spirit of Christ within you, you no longer have anything to truly be afraid of.

Are there things in your life you continue fear?

Things that God has promised to free you from?

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