Responses to Fear
By Hayden Byrd
Fear is an equalizer, no matter one’s wealth, power or background everyone experiences fear. Between dangers of the world, consequences of our own actions and the unknowns of the future, there are many different avenues through which fear creeps into our lives. Yet the Bible is abundantly clear that God does not want HIS people to live in a constant state of fear (Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:6, 2 Timothy 1:7 and Hebrews 13:6). While we may call upon these and other comforting verses when experiencing the storms of life, it can also be beneficial to look at the lives of Godly people and see what it looks like to respond to fear in a faithful manner. Through the Biblical accounts of Joshua and Caleb in Number 14, the Jailer in Acts 16 and Jesus in Luke 22 we see examples of faithful followers of God and how God in the flesh responded to fear and how it can be a model for what it looks like to respond to fear in a God-honoring way.
The first example of a Godly response to fear comes from Joshua and Caleb who trusted in God and encouraged others to trust in HIM in Numbers 14. Being sent on a mission to spy out the conditions of a foreign land would be daunting for most people. This trip proved to be very revealing about the differences in how people who do and people who do not trust in God respond to fear. In Numbers 13:25-29, the group of spies all report making the same observations about the land, that it was very desirable and plentiful but that it was already inhabited by very strong and well-established people. This is where the similarities end as the majority of the group discourage the notion of trying to conquer the land, claiming that the inhabitants are too strong to go up against (Numbers 13:31-33). Caleb however is optimistic about an invasion, boldly expressing that they will be victorious over inhabitants of Canaan (Numbers 13:30) as Joshua joins him in this confidence in Numbers 14:6-8. Their explanation for this confidence is truly what sets them apart from the other spies, they have an unwavering trust in God that they openly share with all those around them (Numbers 14:6-9). This willingness to tell others about the trust and confidence that can be found in God is one we should strive to imitate in our own lives, no matter how discouraging the circumstances or people surrounding us may be.
The second example of a Godly response to fear comes from an unlikely man in Acts 16. Paul and Silas have just been beaten, thrown in jail and miraculously given the opportunity to flee from prison. The jailer of this prison realizes what has happened and tries to take his own life before being stopped and assured by Paul that none of the prisoners have escaped. The Jailer is then filled with fear (Acts 16:29) and being surrounded by evidence of God and apparently knowing of Paul and Silas’ preaching, asks them what he must do to be saved. The rest of this account is a happy one in which he and his household are receptive to the gospel (Acts 16:31-34), this response to fear is again one that all should strive to mimic. The jailer’s response upon realizing he is in an unsaved state is that of earnest and fervent inquiry of gospel preachers about how to be saved, this is a beautiful model for those today who are not yet Christians. However, there is also a lesson to be learned from this response for those who are already Christians. Though Christians earnestly try to live a life free from sin we will all fail at times, when this happens hopefully we will become regrettably and fearfully aware of these sins so that we can earnestly repent of them and make efforts to move past them. When faced with this recognition we should, like the jailer, sincerely, humbly and fervently seek God and turn to other Christians in our lives who will support and aid us in this endeavor.
The last response to fear that I want to focus on is Jesus’s own response in Luke 22 when facing the crucifixion. Jesus knew that He was about to accomplish the greatest event in history, but that there would be tremendous pain during it. When faced with a difficult and painful future His response was to pray and ask those around Him to pray (Luke 22:40-42). Jesus’ prayer is reverent and respectful, not one of bold commands or orders, but of humble petitions made while always humbly submitting to the will of the Father (Luke 22:42). Notice also that when an angel is sent to strengthen Jesus for the coming events (Luke 22:43) confirming that Jesus will have to suffer the cross, He again turns to God the Father in earnest prayer (Luke 22:44). When we do not receive the things we pray for or the answers we would have preferred, do we again turn to God in humble acceptance and submission to HIS will? Though we cannot be perfect as Jesus was perfect, we are called to follow His example (1 Peter 2:21 and 1 John 2:6) and this prayer can serve as an example of what it looks like to earnestly and humble go before God in prayer with our worries and fears about the future. We may not always know which hardships we will and won’t have to face, but we can always be comforted in the fact that God is a source of comfort and strength to the faithful throughout trials (Psalms 46:1).