Being fearful or afraid is nothing new to our generation. Maybe you are dealing with a particular fear. Fear is a tool the devil uses against us to make us miserable and destroy our lives. It begins as a thought and then creates emotions that can rule us. It often becomes a strong, intense feeling that tries to move us to make a foolish action or tries to prevent us from doing something that would be good for us. We live in a time when fear has spread like a pandemic through the world because of Covid 19. Today we want to discuss what does the Bible says about fear and how to overcome it.
During the reign of Queen Esther there was an evil plan to kill all the Jews in the Medo-Persian Empire. Queen Esther was also a Jew, but what could she do? She was afraid to speak to the King because she had not been invited into his presence and to speak to him uninvited could result in death.
Esther 4: 11 “All the king’s officials and even the people in the provinces know that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold scepter. And the king has not called for me to come to him for thirty days.”[1]
Queen Esther overcame her fear of death and spoke to the King. You also can become an overcomer. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” [2] We need to recognize that fear comes from our enemy not from God. Our enemy satan tried to use fear to prevent Esther from going to the King which would save the Jewish people. While satan tries to use fear to stop us, the Lord works in our lives to help us overcome fear.
How do I overcome fear?
- A relationship with God – Our first step in overcoming fear is being a believer in Jesus. If you have not done so, take time to ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. Revelation 3:20“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.[3]
- Pray and ask the Lord to help you – Fear can be difficult to overcome alone, but with God’s help He will give us victory. Phil. 4:13For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.[4]
- Rely on the Lord daily – Fear can creep back in our life when we forget our relationship with the Lord is daily. We can’t look up to God and down at the same time. John 15:5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.[5]
- Put your faith into action. The Lord is with you! Isaiah 41:10Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. [6]
To hear more about the story of Esther, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/hope-when-genocide-threatens
[1-6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.