Never Fear

F. D. R.

In 1933 President Franklin D. Roosevelt immortalized the saying, “The only thing we have to fear is Fear itself.” Spoken in the context of the Great Depression and the challenges the world faced, this was a perfect statement to rally a nation. It emphasized a key principle for life: We must live by faith, not fear.

Roosevelt’s words ring true because they came from the teachings of God. The Bible is full of men and women who lived in faith. They overcame their fears. They triumphed in life because they trusted in God amidst uncertain futures. Hebrews 11 catalogues many such people. Their behavior should encourage us to reject fear and embrace faith.

Christians should never fear the past. 

Who can make an accusation against a faithful Christian? Certainly we all have things in our pasts that trouble us. Most humans live long enough to regret their pasts to some degree. The good news is that our pasts do not have to count against us in the Judgment. What magnificence! If that thought alone does not cause rejoicing then we need to check to see if our hearts are working!

Christians should never fear the future. 

“For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5b-6). The worst anyone can do to us is to kill our bodies. They cannot touch our souls!

Christians should never fear the present. 

There are plenty of things to worry about in this life. There are plenty of fears to overcome, but overcome we must! We must make decisions based on the correct outlook--our very lives depend upon the choices we make today! Do not allow yourself to make decisions based on fear. Trust in God. Live your life in faith that is developed and maintained through the Bible and you cannot lose. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

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