Fear (Part 2): How To Overcome The Ungodly Fear? Series

Two weeks ago, we learned about fear. There are two kinds of fear: godly fear and ungodly fear. Today we will continue with "How to Overcome the Ungodly Fear?" As I said before, the ungodly fears disturb our daily activities, prevent us from doing what we should do, and cause emotional problems. Here are some examples: Louis Pasteur had such an irrational fear of dirt and infection he refused to shake hands. President and Mrs. Benjamin Harrison were so intimidated by the newfangled electricity installed in the White House they did not dare touch the switches. If there were no servants around to turn off the lights when the Harrisons went to bed, they slept with them on. It is said that the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin so feared for his safety that his residence in Moscow contained eight bedrooms. Each night Stalin chose a bedroom at random to ensure that no one knew where he was sleeping. So, we should overcome the ungodly fears in our lives. Here are seven keys to overcome them:

1. Trust in God. A bumper sticker says: "Every opportunity to fear is also an opportunity to trust God." Every time we are afraid, we must see it as an opportunity to surrender everything in God's hands. We trust Him that God works in all things for good as long as we do our part (Romans 8:28-29). David says in Psalms 56:3-4: "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" In most cases, when we are afraid, we are powerless. We really cannot do anything about most things we fear. We cannot control terrorists from bombing shopping malls. We cannot prevent natural disasters from destroying our city. We cannot prevent death from knocking on our doors. It is appointed for all of us to die once (Hebrews 9:27). So, why should we fear? Instead, surrender our fear to God and trust Him that He will do what is best for us. After all, God is our heavenly Father. Like a father who protects his children, so is God, who will protect us from evil. The key to overcoming fear, then, is total and complete trust in God. Trusting God is a refusal to give in to fear. It is a turning to God even in the darkest times and trusting Him to make things right. This trust comes from knowing God and knowing that He is good. As Job said when he was experiencing some of the most difficult trials recorded in the Bible, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" (Job 13:15 NKJV).

Once we have learned to trust God, we will no longer be afraid of the things that come against us. Peter said in 1 Peter 3:14-15a, "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened." But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord." Faith is the foe of fear. It is either faith or fear! Isaiah 26:3 says, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."

2. Fear God. Psalm 112:1,7,8a says, "Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear." Fear of the Lord brings with it many blessings and benefits. For example, it is the beginning of wisdom and leads to a good understanding. Psalm 111:10 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding." Fear of the Lord also leads to life, rest, peace, and contentment. Proverbs 19:23 says, "The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble." Fear of God is the fountain and life (Proverbs 14:27 - The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death) and provides security and a place of safety for us (Proverbs 14:26 - Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children, it will be a refuge).

3. Focus on God and His words. Every day we are bombarded with the news about the coronavirus, violence, conflict, murder, and so many bad things happening in this world. If we spend too much time reading and watching it, we can be stressed and afraid. So, we need to focus on God. He is the great "I Am." God is Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Immutable, Holy, Righteous, Sovereign, Love, Merciful. It is also essential for us to meditate on His words. Did you know that the terms "Fear not" and "be not afraid" appear in the Bible 180 times? Bible verse like Psalm 23:4 encourages us when we meditate on it. It says, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (ESV). That is why Hebrews 12:2 tells us to "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." I believe if we see God as excellent as He truly is, most of our fears will vanish.