Conquering fear

It would seem that the imponderables, vicissitudes and complex challenges of our “modern, scientific and civilised” world (with all its sophisticated fast-paced, high-risk features) quite effectively conspire to inject the most venomous variety of fear in the hearts of men... But we can certainly win this war! 

Fear appears to be the most ubiquitous and formidable foe waging war against humanity today. On every hand fear, in its various hideous forms, is present to haunt and horrify mankind.  Today’s society — at every stratum — is constantly bombarded by a relentless onslaught of social fears, economic fears, domestic fears, academic fears and even “professional” fears. We witness, in prevailing abun-dance, basic fears, trepidation, phobia, intimidation, paranoia and petrifaction. One of the most fearful things about fear is that this ruthless enemy is an aggressive investor.  An attack of fear may quickly produce by-products of stress, frustration, depression and even major diseases and death.  Suicidal tendencies, and the very act of suicide, are not uncommon among victims of extreme fears. It would seem that the imponderables, vicissitudes and complex challenges of our “modern, scientific and civilised” world (with all its sophisticated fast-paced, high-risk features) quite effectively conspire to inject the most venomous variety of fear in the hearts of men.

No wonder the Bible says that in the last days “men’s hearts shall fail them for fear” (Luke 21:26). Take a look at the US presidential election campaign.  Fear has hardly ever been such a central factor in the history of these campaigns. After the infamous 9/11 experience, the fear of terrorism has increased a million times over, in the US, and around the world.  US citizens listen intently to Bush and Kerry, desperately looking for some kind of reassuring message such as “America would be safe... we will win the war on terror.” Here at home, our own local brand of terror (and I hear we now have quite a quantity of imported stuff in the mix)  in the form of crime and related evils, keep working overtime to destroy the “nice paradise” image of “sweet TT.” We sometimes hear the expression, “The only thing to fear, is fear itself.” FEAR is also used as an interesting acronym: False Evidence Appearing Real.  Then there is FOF — Fear Of Failure.

It is clear that fear is of critical concern to the average person and there is a constant search to find a cure — or at least an anaesthetic.  It’s amazing how far fear can go in disrupting one’s personal dreams, and life as a whole.  From personal aspirations and ambitions to interpersonal relationship and family life, all can be violently shattered by the diabolical terminator call fear, for reasons real or imagined. But the good news is that we can certainly, most certainly, win the war against the terror called fear.  There are myriads of products and prescriptions on the market attempting to provide the ideal remedy for this universal plague.  There are all kinds of recipes from PMA (positive mental attitude) to the use of narcotics. A look at the Holy Bible, however, reveals that God Himself emphatically cautions us to beware of fear. He clearly unmasks the enemy and provides us with an infallible battle plan to conquer this stubborn adversary. 

The Lord makes quite an interesting point when he alerts us to the fact that fear is not restricted to merely an emotional or psychological state. He says that fear is a spirit: “The Lord has not given unto us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7). Fear indeed has real emotional and psychological dimensions to it, but the cause factor is primarily spiritual, and therefore a spiritual approach to a solution would certainly prove very fruitful. I have proven this for decades in my own life and for thousands of others, locally and abroad, whom I have had the opportunity to counsel and minister to. The spiritual power that one receives when one is “born of the Spirit” (born again), via the baptism is the Holy Spirit, from the Word of God, faith and prayer; along with spiritual counsel and support systems, definitely go a long way in transforming one’s world from fear and torment, to peace and joy (Phil. 4:6,7). 

Did you notice that all of America from Congress to the man in the street rushed to prayer on September 11, 2001? Did you realise that the most impacting part of President Bush’s speech that night was the line from Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Fear can attract negative forces into the affairs of our lives.  Job 3:25 sombrely states: “The thing that I greatly feared is come upon me.” But again, no need to fear, the Lord Jesus Christ also confidently declares, “According to your faith, so be it unto you” (Matt. 9:29).  We are also reminded: “Perfect love casts out fear” (1 Jn. 4:18).  And the Apostle John also enlightens us: “God is love.” A correlation of these portions of Scripture therefore reveals that God in our lives, will cast out fear! Joy to the world, the Lord has come... fear has to take its leave!