Finding Peace in Fear: God's Promise to Be With Us
Have you ever found yourself gripped by fear? Whether it's the common fears like spiders and heights, or deeper anxieties about failure, sickness, or the unknown - fear is a universal human experience. But how does God address our fears? What is His solution when we find ourselves afraid?
What Causes Fear in Our Lives?
Fear comes in many forms. For some, it's the basic phobias - spiders, snakes, clowns, or heights. For others, it's deeper concerns:
Loss of control
Being judged or looked down on
Sickness and death
Financial troubles
Global concerns
Not being good enough
Being alone
Fear of change
Fear of the unknown
Rejection
Failure
When we're afraid, our natural response is to seek comfort and safety. Children instinctively run to their parents when scared. Similarly, as believers, our response should be to seek God's presence when fear grips us.
How Paul Faced His Fears
In Acts 18, we find the Apostle Paul in a frightening situation. He had been preaching in Corinth for a year and a half when the Jews brought him before the Roman proconsul Gallio. When Gallio dismissed their case, the crowd turned on Sosthenes, the synagogue leader, and beat him severely while Gallio showed no concern.
Paul had already experienced beatings, imprisonment, and even stoning in his ministry. Seeing Sosthenes beaten, Paul likely wondered if he would be next. It would be completely normal for him to feel afraid in this situation.
But before this incident, God had already addressed Paul's fear:
"One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: 'Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.'" (Acts 18:9-10)
God's solution to Paul's fear was simple yet profound: "I am with you."
How Do We Typically Handle Fear?
When fear strikes, we often try various approaches:
Talking to someone
Finding practical solutions
Developing better habits
Seeking distractions
Exercise or physical activity
Creative outlets
Prayer and Scripture
While these can be helpful, God's ultimate fear fix is the promise of His presence: "I am with you."
God's Consistent Promise Throughout Scripture
This wasn't a new promise. When God called Moses to confront Pharaoh - a terrifying assignment - Moses asked, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" God's response was the same: "I will be with you" (Exodus 3:11-12).
When Joshua faced the daunting task of leading Israel into battle against nations with giants, God told him: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9).
Isaiah 43:1-2 reinforces this promise: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."
Why Doesn't God Just Remove Our Troubles?
Some might ask: If God is with us, why doesn't He just remove our difficulties? The daughter of the Kansas City Chiefs' owner, who lost a cousin in a tragic accident, put it this way: "Following Jesus doesn't spare us from pain, but it means we never face it alone."
God doesn't always remove our struggles because:
Our faith shines brightest in difficult times
Our perseverance through trials encourages others
We develop strength and character through challenges
Our response to fear demonstrates who we trust
The promise isn't that we'll avoid all hardship, but that God will be with us through it all.
The Ultimate Promise in Christ
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gives the Great Commission, calling believers to make disciples of all nations. This can be a frightening task - sharing our faith, entering messy situations, and stepping out of our comfort zones. But the promise remains: "Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Paul himself later wrote in Romans 8:38-39: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Life Application
What fear is gripping you today? Whatever it is, God's solution remains the same: He is with you.
This week, practice bringing Jesus to the center of your fears:
Identify your fears honestly. What's really causing your anxiety, worry, or anger?
Invite God into those fearful places. Rather than trying to escape or numb your fears, bring them to God.
Meditate on God's promise of presence. Remind yourself daily: "God is with me in this situation."
Step out in faith despite your fears. Remember that God's presence gives you courage to face what scares you.
Look for evidence of God's presence. Where do you see Him working in your situation?
Ask yourself: Am I trying to handle my fears alone, or am I truly believing that God is with me? What would change if I fully embraced the truth that the Creator of the universe is by my side through this challenge?
Remember, following Jesus doesn't mean we won't face scary situations, but it does mean we'll never face them alone. His presence with us can carry us through our deepest fears.