God's Heart Toward His Children

Fear is one of the most destructive forces we face as believers, yet many Christians struggle to understand God's true nature and His heart toward them. The truth is, God is not a fear-tormenting deity who uses intimidation tactics to control His children. Instead, He invites us to run into His presence, find refuge under His wings, and experience His perfect love that casts out all fear.

What Does the Bible Say About Fear?

God Never Uses Fear as a Control Tactic

Second Timothy 1:7 makes it crystal clear: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." This verse reveals that fear doesn't originate from God. While demons shake and quake in God's presence - which is appropriate - God's family should trust and run toward Him, not away from Him.

God wants your loyalty, trust, choice, and love. Satan, on the other hand, wants you paralyzed in fear, tormented, and in self-destruct mode, permanently silencing your faith. The absence of faith-filled people speaking God's will on earth creates a vacuum that allows tragedy and terror to flourish.

Seven Biblical Truths About Fear

Understanding these key truths can transform how you view fear:

1. Fear is never from God - Worry, anxiety, and distress don't come from your Heavenly Father
2. Fear is a spiritual force - Though invisible, it's a deadly force that operates in the spiritual realm
3. Fear can destroy anyone - It takes down the strongest people, largest armies, and greatest nations
4. Fear brings torment - First John 4:18 describes fear as "the tormentor" that affects your soul, mind, will, and emotions
5. Unaddressed fear leads to compromise - Without dealing with the root cause, you'll make compromises or even medicate to silence the voices
6. God gives power, love, and sound mind - But you must actively choose to receive and operate in these gifts
7. Faith is fear's opposite - You can recognize God's thoughts because they inspire power, love, and sound thinking

What About the "Fear of the Lord"?

Many believers wonder how to reconcile the biblical concept of "fearing the Lord" with the truth that God doesn't give us a spirit of fear. The answer lies in understanding the Hebrew terminology.

The Hand You See

The Hebrew word translated as "fear" in "fear of the Lord" actually means "the hand you see." Your perception determines whether you experience terror or reverence. If you see an enemy's hand approaching, you'll feel scared and anxious. But if you see the hand of a loving, protecting, providing Heavenly Father, you'll be overwhelmed with awe and wonder.

The question is: What hand do you see coming toward you each day? Do you anticipate a hand of rejection and punishment, or do you see God's nail-scarred hand stretched out with redemption, mercy, and help?

Learning from Elisha's Example

The story of Elisha in Second Kings 6 provides a powerful illustration of faith versus fear focus. When the Syrian army surrounded the city where Elisha was staying, his servant panicked at the sight of horses and chariots encircling them.

A Matter of Perspective

Elisha's response was remarkable: "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." When God opened the servant's eyes, he saw that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha.

The enemy army was real, but God's army was greater. The servant was focused on the natural realm while Elisha maintained a supernatural perspective. God never asks you to deny reality, but He does ask you to see His reality - that He has already defeated your enemy at the cross of Calvary.

Why Do We Struggle with Fear?

Focus Determines Outcome

Your struggle with fear comes down to what you believe and where you focus. Think of fear as an acronym: Falsehood Eclipsing All Reality. When you're gripped by fear, all reality becomes distorted through a warped lens of deception.

The enemy is a counterfeiter who presents his awful hand instead of God's awesome hand. But God is always bigger and greater than your worst enemy. Like Elisha's servant, you need your focus adjusted and your attention set on God's hand and promises.

The Power of Repetition

What you focus on longest becomes strongest. Repetition creates persuasion, whether through media, entertainment, or your own thought patterns. You have the power of choice over your focus, and God won't override that choice.

Your repetition determines your persuasion - whether you're persuaded of life or death, blessing or cursing. If you're struggling with fear, examine your repetition with the Holy Spirit's help.

The Deadly Effects of Fear

Physical and Emotional Consequences

Medical research shows that fear, stress, and worry negatively affect every area of your life:

• Sleep patterns and relationships
• Digestion, breathing, and blood pressure
• Brain function and decision-making
• Weight, effectiveness, and outlook

When fear becomes chronic, it leads to panic attacks, disorders, disease, depression, and even despair. Fear kills from the inside out because it's incompatible with how God designed you to function.

Fear Divides and Destroys

Fear divides your house, relationships, and marriage. It puts you in self-destruct mode, which is exactly what the enemy wants. Your body's cells can't fight against each other and remain healthy - fear creates internal warfare that destroys from within.

Overcoming the Top Three Fears

Fear of Death

This catastrophic mindset thrives on the lie that death is stronger than life. Combat it with God's truth:

• "God shall wipe away every tear and death shall be no more" (Revelation 21:4)
• "Christ Jesus has abolished death and brought life and immortality" (2 Timothy 1:10)
• "Whoever keeps my word will never die" (John 8:51)

Fear of Failure

Remember that failure is part of the process of achieving greatness. As Michael Jordan said, his many failures were why he succeeded. Counter this fear with:

• "Everyone born of God overcomes the world" (1 John 5:4)
• "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13)
• "To as many as received Jesus Christ, to them he gave the power and the right to be the children of God" (John 1:12)

Fear of Being Alone

This fear drives people into bad relationships and compromising situations. King Saul lost his kingdom because fear of abandonment led him to make unauthorized sacrifices. Trust God's promise:

• "I will not in any way fail you or leave you. I will not in any degree leave you helpless or forsake you or let you down" (Hebrews 13:5)

Life Application

This week, make a conscious decision to examine your focus and repetition patterns. Are you rehearsing fears or rehearsing faith? Choose to bring every fearful thought to the cross of Christ, where He has already defeated the force of all fear with His perfect love.

Start each day by asking yourself: "What hand do I see approaching me today?" Train your mind to see God's nail-scarred hand of redemption, mercy, and help rather than an enemy's hand of destruction.

Questions for Reflection:

• What fears have I been tolerating in my life that I need to surrender to God?
• How can I shift my focus from the enemy's army to God's greater army surrounding me?
• What specific area of my life needs a "no fear here" declaration backed by God's truth?
• How will I actively choose faith over fear when challenging circumstances arise this week?

~Dr. Stephen Marshall