Faith in Fearful Times

Pandemic, virus, quarantine, shortages, sickness, and death, all of these words have created great fear in the lives of many people today. In the last month, our lives have changed dramatically with the coming of the Coronavirus. Our response has been fear, panic, and confusion. We feel helpless, and our leaders seem to be as confused as we are.

Will our faith overcome our fears? Or will our fears overcome our faith? Faith and fear can not abide in our lives at the same time. It is not by accident that the Word of God exhorts us continually with the words: “Fear not.” God knows that when fear controls our lives, we cannot trust, love, and obey Him as we ought.

God gives us four reasons that fear should not control our lives. When we remember these truths, it will help us to overcome the fear that is surrounding us today.

1.  God is our Heavenly Father. “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15) Fear brings bondage to our lives. In the fog of our fear, we don’t see our Father. We forget the importance of our position as God’s children. Our Father will not abandon us. He promises never to leave us nor forsake us. How can we fear when God, Our Father is near?
2.  Our Heavenly Father loves His Children. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.” (1 John 4:18) Fear not only brings bondage but also torments us. This torment keeps us from enjoying God’s peace. Because of this torment, we become blinded to God’s love and the needs of others. God’s love is His remedy for our fears. Why should we allow our fears to torment us when we can lean on the breast of our loving Shepherd? Even in the valley of the shadow of death, He is with us. (See Psalm 23)
3.  Our Heavenly Father’s purpose for our life excludes fear. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) Fear keeps us weak in faith. Fear creates a self-centered attitude that keeps us from loving God and others. Fear brings confusion into our lives. We are unable to see life from God’s perspective. A fearful Christian cannot fulfill God’s great purpose in their life. God’s plan involves depending upon His strength, sharing His love with others, and growing in His wisdom day by day.
4. God promises peace during fearful times. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) God’s promise of peace is real. His peace overcomes the fear that enters into our lives. Why do we embrace fear instead of embracing Christ’s peace?

God’s children will experience fearful times, but we don’t have to live in fear during those times. God’s Word makes it clear that our Heavenly Father has given us every reason to banish fear in our lives.

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for adopting us as your children. Thank you for your love and peace that you give to us. We live in fearful times. All around us, people are afraid. We need to look up to you instead of being dominated by our fears. Please help us to find courage, faith, and love during these fearful times. Amen”