How to Handle Fear in 2015 – Part 1

It is 2015! Fear has struck the hearts of many people. From the economy to terrorism to lawlessness people are wondering how to handle the fears they have for this new year. In this article, I will give you many verses from the Bible that deal with various aspects of fear. It is with hope that you will find peace in 2015 no matter what happens around you or with you.

When you have a fearful heart, for whatever the reason may be, consider these verses:

Psalm 34:4: I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

In the midst of your fears, God is surely able to deliver you from all of them. It is a matter of seeking after him. When you seek him, the Bible says that he will be found (Isaiah 56:6). Jesus even put it this way:

Matthew 6:25-34: For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and HIs righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Seeking after the Lord is the key to dispelling any worry or fear that you may have. “Well, you just don’t understand how hard my life is. I worry all the time and just don’t know what to do about it.” By seeking the Lord, this is the first step to overcoming your worry or fear.

When you are focused on whatever it is that you are fearing, change your mind by focusing on what is true and consider these verses:

Psalm 4:8: In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Knowing that there is so much terrorism going on around the world, fear has literally gripped nations that are being attacked constantly. However, you and I can lie down and sleep trusting the Lord who is our security and safety. No other can truly keep us safe like he does. Because this is truth, we can dwell on this idea of safety in the Lord. Even if we were threatened by someone, the alternative is not bad. We get to spend eternity with Jesus Christ if we know him as Lord and Savior. In him, there is safety and security. Read what Jesus said:

John 14:1-6: “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

The way that Jesus Christ was going was the way of the Cross. But even knowing that Jesus Christ was going to go the way of the Cross, he tells us not to have a troubled heart. In other words, we do not need to worry or fear because he is who he is and we are who we are and we need to trust him because he is God. Moreover, he is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through him. So the joy that is set before us is that Jesus Christ has been preparing a place for us. Jesus Christ’s joy was as follows:

Hebrews 12:1-3: Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Jesus Christ’s joy was that he endured the cross, endured such hostility by sinners against himself in order that we might not grow weary and lose heart in this darkened world we call home.