Rudyard Kipling famously wrote, “Of all the liars in the world, sometimes the worst are our own fears.” 

Statistics point to that truth. According to one poll, nearly fifty percent of Americans are fearful of contracting Covid-19 and sixty-two percent are more worried about their loved one’s health than they had been prior to the pandemic.  Fifty-nine percent of participants claim that fear of the virus has impacted their daily lives. 

I admit to a healthy fear of this minute T-cell invader. At the onset of the pandemic, I crafted a grocery line baptismal system certain to cleanse any suspicious items of possible contamination. A large piece of plywood spanned the length between two sawhorses in the garage. As my teenagers pulled boxes, cans, and other goods from bags, I sprayed each surface with Clorox solution—allowing it to air dry.  

Christians aren’t immune to Covid or fear, but there are four lessons from scripture we can apply during these challenging times. Consider the following examples from scripture. 

 Fear Led Gideon to Wrong Thinking  

For seven years, the raiding warriors had pillaged the land—usurping its wealth and abundance. Desperate to provide sustenance for his family, Gideon cowered in a winepress. Again and again, he thrashed the stalks of grain. Thwack. Thwack. Thwack. Just as the Midianites did to those who rebelled. Sweat beaded on Gideon’s brow. 

Suddenly, “the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!” 

Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.” (Judges 6:11-13 NKJV) 

I understand Gideon’s fear. He grew up with a bad version of the bully-on-the-block and kept getting beat up because he had a great lunch someone else wanted.  

In this situation, fear led Gideon to the wrong conclusion. He said, “…now the Lord has forsaken us.” The word forsaken can also be translated abandoned or rejected. This is the incredible part– Gideon was in the in the presence of the angel of the Lord.  

How often have I believed God has abandoned me when fear looms large? How often have you? Yet, He draws near and speaks words of assurance, “The Lord is with you…” (Judges 6:11) 

Fear Led Abraham to Self-Protection 

God promised Abraham that his descendants would outnumber the stars, but Abraham feared Abimelek’s power. As a result, Abraham enticed Sarah to lie on his behalf by claiming she was his sister. Despite God’s faithfulness, fear won the day and Abraham put wife in harm’s way—and potentially in another man’s arms. 

Fortunately, God protected both Sarah and Abimelek. 

“Abimelek called Abraham in and said, “What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should never be done.”  And Abimelek asked Abraham, “What was your reason for doing this?”  Abraham replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ (Genesis 20:9-11) 

Before I throw stones, I must admit I’m a lot like Abraham. In the past I’ve told half-truths, white-lies, and bold-faced falsehoods to protect myself. As the days grow darker, it’s tempting to grow quieter on social media. To shy away from writing the truth about Christ. To stop listening to the still, small voice promoting me, “Tell her that you’re a Christian.” 

Fear Led Saul to Feebleness  

More than a month passed, and tension grew thick. The men glowered at one another and Goliath strode forward—cursing Israel’s God. But instead of drawing up a battle plan, King Saul and his army absorbed the enemy’s taunts—allowing him to speak untruth for forty days. 

“Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.” (1 Samuel 17:10-11 NKJV)  

Dismayed means “shattered” or “broken”. An entire army of men with a God who split the Red Sea and brought water from a rock now quaked in their sandals. Rather than being in awe of God, they feared the overgrown bully on the block.  

 Saul and his soldiers were undone. Incapable of action. Fear has a way of leading to inaction. It can paralyze us—leaving us uncertain, unwilling, or unable to move ahead.  

 Have you been there? Are you in that place now? 

Even hardened soldiers accustomed to battle fall victim to feebleness when they forget the power of their God. Sometimes, it takes a brash declaration from an unexpected person in our lives to remind us that He is still in control.  

Someone like a young shepherd boy who inspires us with bold faith, “I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” (1 Samuel 17:45 NKJV) 

 Who is the David in your life? Where in scripture can you find the encouragement you need? 

 Fear Led the Disciples to Faithlessness 

 I’ve never experienced thunderstorms as violent as those in the southern United States. Palm fronds sweep the ground, rivers of water gush down streets, and thunder rolls hour upon hour. I imagine this might have been the sort of storm the disciples encountered. 

Exhausted after a day of pouring out love, Jesus lay on a cushion asleep in the boat as his disciples talked about the day’s events. Suddenly, the small craft was swept up in a squall—its wooden frame pitching wildly. Pelted from all sides, water surged into the boat and one of them cried out, “Lord, help us!” 

The discipled had seen hundreds of people healed, yet they doubted Christ’s power. In the same way, I have the testimony of scripture and a risen Lord but doubt Jesus’s ability to come through in my life. Can you relate?  

Too many times, I lament, “Lord, I’m going to drown!” when He says, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40 NKJV) 

 I fear He– 

• won’t fix that broken relationship 
• answer that long-standing prayer 
• may not provide the healing 
• might not allow those opportunities 
• will allow more heartache 

This is the faithlessness Christ saw in the disciples, as well. I want my cry to be, “I believe, help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24 NIV) What about you? 

Four Fear Busting Takeaways Based on Scripture 

• Right thinking helps us remember God is always with us. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV) 
• A right focus empowers us to proclaim Christ rather than resort self-protection. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3. 3 NIV) 
• The right encouragement, a Godly friend, and time in scripture will strengthen and embolden our faith. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. (1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV) 
• The right name, Jesus, makes all the difference. This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles. (Psalm 34:6 NIV) 

Peace and grace,

Tammy

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