Fear is an enormous challenge for many of God’s people. Milly Jones, in a blogpost under the heading of Milly’s Scribblings, discovered 145 Bible verses encouraging God’s people who battle fear. She wrote: “I have searched the Bible using an online tool for verses that tell us not to fear, not to be afraid, etc. I have added in verses that encourage us to have peace in God, not to worry and not to be anxious (both general types of fear). And I have come up with a list of 145 verses!” From such a list we can conclude that God wants to help His people win the battle against fear.
Many Christians fear failing health, insufficient finances, personal failure, loss of job, the well-being of family members and more. A 2023 Lifeway Research report states, “Seven in 10 U.S. Protestant pastors (69%) believe there is a growing sense of fear within their congregations about the future of the nation and world.”
Fear, if left unaddressed, robs us of joy and has a negative impact on our lives and ministry. How can pastors, elders and ministry leaders successfully battle fear in our own lives and lead others to do the same? Here are five “I wills” to help us win the battle against fear.
1. I will read God’s word daily: By spending time in daily Bible intake, we come across verses like Psalm 56:3 which says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Regular Bible reading can mine the riches of God’s word and help us discover verses like Isaiah 41:10 which reads, “Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” There is no way to effectively battle and win against fear apart from regular and consistent access to God’s word.
2. I will pray and ask God to help me: James 4:6 reminds us, “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Proud people do not receive God’s help. Humble people do. To be humble means that we confess our needs to God and depend on Him to help us. If fear, worry and anxiety are part of your struggle, then confess that to the Lord and ask Him to help you. He will.
3. I will open up to God’s people: James 5:16 encourages believers to lean into Christian community for help. James wrote, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” When we confess our battle with fear, worry and anxiety we lessen the strength of these struggles and gain the prayer support of others.
4. I will recount God’s provision: In Psalm 37:25, King David writes, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.” The shepherd king is looking back over his life and remembering the faithfulness of God to His people. One great truth to remember is that when God adopted you into His family, He was fully aware of His responsibilities to you as a Father. He is able to care for His children. Don’t mistake that fact as a blanket promise for an easy life. It should be understood, however, that we need not worry because we have a Father in heaven who has promised to care for us (Matthew 6:25-34).
5. I will trust in God’s care: Psalm 34:6 is a reminder for us all to not let fear, worry and anxiety to rule over us. King David was in one of the greatest battles of his life as he was fleeing from King Saul. David wrote, “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.” David’s testimony was that God can be trusted to help his people. That can be our testimony as well.
Pastors, elders and ministry leaders are not exempt from fear, worry and anxiety. We must face those fears, but we need not face them alone. God has given us all we need to navigate this, and all, spiritual battles.
Dr. Todd Gray 