What is it that you most fear? Not in the sense of your greatest phobia such as heights, spiders, or water, but on a more personal level. At your very core, what is it you most fear? Push the pause button for a few minutes and take some time to really consider this question.

For some, your greatest fear may be rejection or failure, for others it is the loss of provision or health, and still others may cite death as their greatest fear.

For years I have heard it said that the opposite of faith is not doubt but fear. When we allow fear to paralyze us we are confessing through word and deed that we believe that the thing we most fear has more power over our lives than God himself.

Fear is always present in our world, but in my lifetime I am not sure I remember a time where fear was so widespread. The corona virus has changed life as we know it – all sporting events are cancelled, travel is limited, weddings and funerals are being postponed and there is a constant barrage of stories throughout both the news and social media related to the virus and all its varying effects.

There are, however – as in any situation – some silver linings in all of this. Social distancing has created (or rather forced) the opportunity for us to reconnect with those in our own homes as it seems the entire nation is now “homeschooling” and rediscovering the joy of family game nights and backyard bonfires. It also gives us more time to pick up the phone and call those we love, and enjoy other simple pleasures like gardening or reading a good book. But, there is still a deeper opportunity here if we allow ourselves to press into it.

Like many church members across the county we have been attending “cyber-church.” Following a recent service we were discussing our biggest take away. Mine was this: “My fear exposes my vulnerability.” Wow! Our fear exposes the area(s) of our life where we are most susceptible to the enemy’s attack. Put another way, our fear exposes the area(s) we haven’t yet fully surrendered to the sovereignty of God.

So, I ask this question again: What is it that you fear most? The answer now leads to another more challenging question. Considering this new and deeper level of self-awareness are you willing to press into your fear(s) and take back the area(s) of your heart the enemy has possessed, rent free, in order to give yourself more completely to the God who gave His life to provide for you complete hope and peace?

This is a deep question. One I know I will mediate and pray on for many weeks or even years, perhaps all of my remaining years. However, to live in place of increasing hope and peace requires my willingness to do just that.

To follow are some promises God has given us to reassure us as we combat our most common fears.

The fear of rejection
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 ESV

The fear of failure
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be[a] against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.[b] 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-39 ESV

The fear of loss of provision
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Matthew 6:31-32 ESV

The fear of death
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live. John 11:25

Let us endeavor to live as children of peace and in so doing, lift up the name of Christ that many may be drawn to Him. (John 12:32)