Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States of America once remarked: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Calmness is an ataraxia of serenity that aids freedom from worry or agitation. Contrarily, fear is a powerful emotional response to a perceived threat or danger. Fear is a basic human survival mechanism characterized by feelings of unease, anxiety, or alarm in response to a perceived risk. It's a contrivance that can trigger a physiological response, known as the "fight-or-flight response," which prepares the body for action against perceived or potential harm. Calmness or, nonchalance is considered an essential tool to overcome fear, aiding clarity of mind. It is a controlled disposition of peace, being free from stress, excitement, or disturbance. It also culminates to being in a state of aplomb or tranquility.
In certain circumstances, if one looks to the right, there maybe fear in their eyes. But, if they glance to the left, calmness prevails. But, which way should one peer? These are options that often associate with everyday life. Do we stand and face the fear or adversity presented to attain the subsequent necessary calmness that life can offer, or do we flee to safety from the prospects of all challenges in the vain hope of achieving calmness?
The story of David and Goliath, a young shepherd boy who defeats a giant Philistine warrior, is a well-known biblical tale of seeking calmness by overcoming fear. In the conflict between the Israelites and Philistines, the giant Goliath taunted the Israeli army, challenging them to single combat. David, a young shepherd boy, volunteered to fight Goliath and with only a sling and stones, he defeated the giant, who was armed with armor and weaponry.
1 Samuel 17:1-15 reminds us: “Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. And they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered, and encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in line of battle against the Philistines. And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. And he had bronze armor on his legs, and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders.
The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. And his shield-bearer went before him. He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” And the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together.” When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons. In the days of Saul the man was already old and advanced in years. The three oldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. David was the youngest. The three eldest followed Saul, but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.”
Verses 19-27 continues: “Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. And David rose early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper and took the provisions and went, as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the encampment as the host was going out to the battle line, shouting the war cry. And Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. And David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage and ran to the ranks and went and greeted his brothers. As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him.
All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were much afraid. And the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. And the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father's house free in Israel.” And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” And the people answered him in the same way, “So shall it be done to the man who kills him.”
Verses 48-49 continue: “When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.”
Courage in the face of adversity is not just about overcoming fear, its also about pressing forward despite it. It allows individuals to persevere, develop resilience, and ultimately achieve goals that might otherwise seem unattainable. By facing challenges head-on, people gain the strength and determination to bounce back from setbacks, learn valuable lessons, and emerge stronger than before. If we look to the right, the challenges may appear daunting, but nothing is ever achieved unless they are tackled. Michelle Obama, an American attorney and former First Lady of the United States once remarked: “You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it's important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages.”
Avoiding challenges is never the answer to achieve calmness in life. While short-term avoidance might offer temporary calmness, it's not a sustainable or healthy strategy for achieving long-term calmness. Instead, facing challenges and developing coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety are more effective ways to cultivate inner peace and resilience. However, facing challenges often requires an element of courage. God is often seen as the source of courage and strength. Joshua 1:9 confirms: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
A promise of strength and help in difficult circumstances, where fear could be prevalent or form a major problem, is always reassuring and provides comfort and enhanced personal courage, no matter where it comes from. God could be the one to provide that necessary courage and strength if we depend and rely on Him. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Amen.
