Are You a Fearless Christian?

Fear consumes our energy. Fear leaves us empty. Fear makes us ineffective. Fear is a parasite. Fear is real.

Sometimes it is so invasive that it feels tangible. And the more it controls us, the more real it starts to feel, and we gradually lose control. Do we have to be controlled by these feelings that are constantly trying to invite themselves in?

Fear is always looking for an entryway. We are the ones who give it a home in our life. (Just to be clear, I’m not talking about that healthy fear that works like your conscience trying to keep you safe.)

I once heard that darkness is the absence of light. So fear comes from the absence of what? Maybe a lack of confidence? Maybe faith? Maybe inexperience? Maybe bad experiences? Maybe not trusting God? Maybe trying to control everything? What do you think?

Am I fearless? I definitely ask myself this question from time to time. I think every man and boy does.

Inherently, we all want to be called fearless or daring. Call a boy a chicken, and it can stick with him for life. As a kid, I wanted to be a knight. Once I learned—sitting in history class—that they didn’t exist anymore, I switched to wanting to be a FBI agent.

There’s a reason “No Fear” became a popular tagline across the world. But we all have our fears, and they come in different sizes. Mine is fear of failure and not being someone others can depend on. If I fail at these, then I’m not a man (at least, that’s my fear).

A smaller fear of mine is heights. I didn’t learn how to ride a swing until I was 8 because that “exhilarating rush” scared me. I didn’t trust the structure of the swing to keep me from tumbling away in the wind. My fear restricted me from this simple pleasure. While this latter one isn’t life-debilitating, it is still a fear. Some fear eating or going to the movies alone. Right now there is a lot of fear in holding a job, financial security and the future.

“Imagine your life, wholly untouched by angst. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats?” —Max Lucado

Fear is an emotion that will overcome us if we let it. So, how do we not give in to this parasitic fear? Do we embrace it? I’m sure we’ve all heard this. I disagree with this statement, however. I’m not going to embrace it when I’m trying to rid my life of it.

I’m not saying fear isn’t real. We’ve already established that it is. It would actually be unwise to not recognize the power and real existence of fear. Some try to ignore it, and that works for a time. Some build up confidence in themselves through knowledge and experience. I did this. But fear will eventually penetrate through any of this. Fear is bigger than us.

What are your thoughts on fear? How do you deal with it? Do you think fear only affects the weak? Think about it, chew on it and share your thoughts. We look forward to discussing this with you.

Think about who it is that wants us to fear and be afraid. A lot of fears are based on lies or misconstrued truths. And who is the father of lies? It’s Satan. I didn’t get this before.

It was easier to say Satan didn’t exist and that I’d overcome my fear. “I’m the master of my fate” was fun to say. Society has marginalized Satan into a little imp with horns and a pitchfork that we can point and laugh at. Who would be afraid of that? He looks weak and smaller than us.

We should recognize the danger, though, because he’s a master of disguises. He is bigger than us, and we need someone bigger to fight for us, to shed light on these lies and to help reveal the truth, which will ultimately free us. We need the God factor.

God says He is love and that perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). We know with confidence that we aren’t in this battle alone. God is a fortress we can run to and be safe (Ps. 144:2).

For myself, I now place my confidence in God. There’s no shame in that. I have full confidence in my strength and abilities, but I also know my limits. I know my fears and that my knowledge and strength will fail me at some point. They have in the past.

I still have to jump in the ring and put on the gloves to do my part. The enemy also knows my fears and will try to exploit them every chance he gets. He wants to knock me down and stomp on me.

It took a while, but I finally came to the realization that some things, like Satan, are bigger than me. In my own strength I can’t defeat him. God will.

Remember the promises He has given us that we can hold on to. Don’t let go. Trust in God. Live the fearless life God wants for you. No fear.

Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (NIV).

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

For the original article, visit fearlessmen.com.