Let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.
Galatians 6:9
Before we begin discussing the various types of fear we often have to confront in life, I think it is important to discuss the answer to all fear, no matter what type it is. We only overcome fear by believing that God loves us unconditionally, placing our faith in Him, trusting that He is with us at all times, and letting that give us the confidence to be courageous.
Perhaps instead of praying for our fears to go away, we should pray to be courageous enough to press past them. Satan gives us fear, but God gives us faith, and anything God gives is always more powerful than what Satan offers. My point is that even when fear is present, if faith in God and courage are also present, those things will defeat fear—every time.
Courage is not something we wait to feel before stepping out on it, but it is a force we believe we are equipped with because we believe that God is with us. We should pay more attention to what God has said to us in His Word than we do the lies of Satan. Courage is what enables us to look at the things we fear and “do them afraid.”
One summer morning as Ray Blankenship was preparing his breakfast, he gazed out the window and saw a small girl being swept along in the rain-flooded drainage ditch beside his Andover, Ohio, home. Blankenship knew that farther downstream, the ditch disappeared with a roar underneath a road and then emptied into the main culvert. Ray dashed out the door and raced along the ditch, trying to get ahead of the foundering child. Then he hurled himself into the deep, churning water. Blankenship surfaced and was able to grab the child’s arm. They tumbled end over end. Within about three feet of the yawning culvert, Ray’s free hand felt something—possibly a rock—protruding from one bank. He clung desperately, but the tremendous force of the water tried to tear him and the child away. If I can just hang on until help comes… he thought. He did better than that. By the time the fire-department rescuers arrived, Blankenship had pulled the girl to safety. Both were treated for shock. On April 12, 1989, Ray Blankenship was awarded the Coast Guard’s Silver Lifesaving Medal. The award is fitting, for this selfless person was at even greater risk to himself than most people knew. Ray Blankenship can’t swim.1
Ray Blankenship would have surely been afraid had he taken time to think about what he was about to do, but courage from within motivated him to do what would have seemed impossible to him had he thought about it. I believe we all have courage, but sadly we think too much about the things that frighten us, and those things prevent us from being our best. We are all capable of great things if we will live courageously.
We are all capable of great things if we will live courageously.
Courage takes a chance and tries to do something rather than passively sitting by and doing nothing. At times a fine line exists between courage and foolishness, and I certainly am not advocating foolishness, but at times we must at least be willing to take a chance if we are ever going to do anything courageously. I have often been told that I cannot do this thing or that thing, yet I have felt that God wanted me to try, and I did. I have attempted to live my life motivated by what I feel in my heart, not what I am told by others. It has worked well for me and although I have made some mistakes, I have had more successes than failures, and that is what people remember. I am admittedly not overly educated or amazingly creative, but I have cultivated faith in God and have chosen courage as a way of life, and you can do the same thing.
When Peter stepped out of the boat to attempt to walk on water as Jesus was doing, I am sure he felt a mixture of fear and courage, and courage won out. He surely knew that he could end up looking foolish in front of the other disciples, but he took a chance. Peter didn’t think about the fact that he could not walk on water, he just got out of the boat and tried. He did indeed walk on water for a short distance and then as he saw and thought about the storm he began to sink (see Matthew 14:28–31). The story is not repeatedly told today so people will remember how Peter sank when he tried; instead, we tell it so we remember he DID walk on water. We can see from this one biblical account that heroism and courage is remembered and celebrated. If you believe you are supposed to do something, go for it! Even if you only partially succeed, you will still be better off than those who didn’t even try. The worst thing that can happen is you will fail; but if you don’t even try, you have failed already.
If miracles were being sold in cans we would all run to the store and buy as many as we could, and the truth is that miracles do come in “cans”… they come as we believe that with God, we can!
Be strong, courageous, and firm; fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
When God told Joshua that he was to finish leading the Israelites into the Promised Land after Moses had died, I am sure Joshua felt fearful about the task. God wasn’t telling him not to “feel” fear, He was telling him to face the fear with courage. We see the phrase “fear not” repeated over and over in the Bible. It doesn’t mean not to feel fear, but it does mean not to give in to it when we do feel it.
The Word of God is filled with stories of men and women who did astonishing things by faith, and we are never told that they didn’t feel fear. In some instances we are clearly told that they did feel fear. Moses was afraid when God appeared to him in the burning bush, Elijah was afraid of Jezebel, surely Abram felt fear when God told him to leave his home and all of his relatives and go to a place that would only be revealed to him after he was on his journey. Esther spoke of her fear of being killed by the king if God didn’t give her favor when she went before him to plead for her people. Surely Daniel felt fear when he walked into the lion’s den, but he courageously did it afraid. Whether you are familiar with these Bible stories or not, let me assure you that they are accounts of normal people just like you and me who were prompted by God to face their fears and do amazing things.
Joshua was facing a huge task when God told him to fear not and be courageous. What are you facing right now, or what might you face in the future? Whatever it is, you need not fear it, for God has promised to be with you, just as He promised to be with Joshua. Although we may not be equipped to handle some of the things we confront in life, God is. There is nothing too hard for Him! On more than one occasion, God told Joshua to be strong and courageous and keep going forward. We not only feel fear at the beginning of our journey, but it also shows up unannounced at various intervals along the way. The answer to fear is always the same: “Be strong and courageous, for God is with you.”
The answer to fear is always the same: “Be strong and courageous, for God is with you.”
The need for courage is the reason we should encourage one another. Fear runs rampant in the earth and seeks to hinder all progress, but God has given us the Holy Spirit to encourage us, and He exhorts us to encourage one another. One right word of encouragement from you at the right time may keep someone else from giving up.
God told Moses, before he died, to encourage Joshua.
But Joshua son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.
Deuteronomy 1:38
Moses also told the people to encourage Joshua.
But charge Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he shall go over before this people and he shall cause them to possess the land which you shall see.
Deuteronomy 3:28
God knew that fear would attack Joshua and that he would need encouragement all along the way. Are you good at encouraging people? It is a vitally important ministry and one that none of us should ignore. When I stepped out to obey the call of God on my life, I had many who discouraged me, and only three who I can remember who encouraged me. Thankfully, by the grace of God, I was able to confront the many fears that came against me with the courage of God, and you can do the same thing. Even if you have no person on this Earth who is encouraging you, you do have the Holy Spirit, and He will encourage you if you will listen to Him. When all men fail us and we feel terribly alone, God is with us just as He has always been. The apostle Paul said, “At my first trial no one… [even] stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me…” (2 Timothy 4:16–17). Just as the Lord stood by Paul and gave him strength, He will do the same for you.
You can be assured that anything God leads you to do, He will equip you to do it. You may not feel or see the abilities and courage that you need, but they will arrive the moment you need them. In God’s economy, we must believe first and we will see later. When we trust God and take the steps of faith He is leading us to take, He never fails to provide what we need.
For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].
Mark 11:24
When do we get what we have asked for? After we believe! Sometimes we must even remain steadfast in believing for a period of time before we see what is already ours by faith.
God called a man named Gideon to deliver His people. In the natural, Gideon was a huge coward and he even referred to himself as the least in his father’s house and of the poorest clan. He told God that he was not able to do what God was asking (see Judges 6:15). Gideon was talking based on his mind and emotions, but he should have been listening to God and repeating what He was saying to him. God had already sent an angel who appeared to Gideon, and the angel said, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of [fearless] courage” (Judges 6:12). I think this is amazing. God didn’t call Gideon what he was; He called him what He knew Gideon had the ability to be! Gideon didn’t see it yet, so he still referred to himself as if he were a natural man without God. It is good to take some time to ask yourself what you truly believe about yourself. Do you believe that God loves you, and that He is with you right now? Do you believe that you can do anything God asks you to do? Stop looking at what you think you are and start listening to God, who is in your heart, trying to encourage you to be courageous and do great things instead of living in fear and taking a backseat in life.
You can do whatever you need to do in life through Christ who strengthens you (see Philippians 4:13). If you will believe that, then an adventurous future awaits you with unlimited possibilities.
I do many things in my ministry that I am not qualified to do in the natural. What I mean is that I have had no formal training to do them, but God has equipped me. I have preached thousands upon thousands of messages and yet no earthly person has ever taught me how to put a sermon together.
It is exciting when you see yourself doing things that you know you couldn’t possibly do unless God was doing them through you. God equips us with His anointing (His power). He gives us supernatural ability, by taking our “natural” and adding His “super.” God is looking for people who are available, not necessarily those who are able. Gideon knew that in the natural he was not able, but God equipped him for the task.
God is looking for people who are available, not necessarily those who are able.
Our equipping comes in various ways. God divinely equips us with gifts that enable us to do His will. The Holy Spirit distributes these gifts (abilities) as He wills and for His purpose. It is useless to be unhappy with the gifts we have been given or, for that matter, not given. Some people spend their life wishing they could do things that they are not gifted to do, while ignoring the things they can do. But let me reiterate that God does definitely equip us to successfully do what He leads us to do. We are not equipped to do according to our own will, but we are equipped to do God’s will.
We are also strengthened and equipped for our task through diligent study of God’s Word. Taking the time to do this is something that we can and must do if we want to be fully prepared for whatever comes our way. Regular study of God’s Word keeps you strong spiritually. God’s Word says that the strong spirit of a man will sustain him in bodily pain and trouble (see Proverbs 18:14). If you do what you need to do to stay strong, you will experience more victory.
Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action).
So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16–17
When we have knowledge of God’s Word that has been tried and tested in our life, it gives us confidence and courage, and that is what we need to confront the spirit of fear.
Another way that we are equipped for our task in life is through the experiences we have. At times we don’t understand why God permits us to go through some of the difficulties that we go through, but He always has a purpose—He can use our difficulties for our ultimate good.
Look at what these Scriptures say about Jesus’ experience during His years on Earth:
Although He was a Son, He learned [active, special] obedience through what He suffered.
And, [His completed experience] making Him perfectly [equipped], He became the Author and Source of eternal salvation…
Hebrews 5:8–9
The things that Jesus experienced in His humanity equipped Him as a merciful high priest who could sympathize with the weaknesses and needs of all people. Sometimes we must go through things in order to fully understand the difficulties that others experience. I believe that each thing we go through helps equip us for our next challenge. Having experience and going through things also help us live courageously. We learn that we can endure difficulties, and that knowledge helps us not to fear future endeavors.
So far we see that we are: (1) Supernaturally equipped by God for our task. (2) Equipped through knowledge of God’s Word. (3) Equipped through the experiences we have in life. Let it suffice to say that you are able to do whatever God leads you to do; God knows it, but you need to know it too. If you doubt yourself, then you are likely not to step out, but to draw back in timidity and fear.
Satan offers us fear, but God offers us courage. Which one will you take?
But the people, the men of Israel, took courage and strengthened themselves and again set their battle line in the same place where they formed it the first day.
Judges 20:22
The men of Israel were in a battle with the Benjamites and the men of Gibeah, and at the end of the first day of battle they had lost 22,000 men. After a solid defeat it is even more difficult to be courageous than it was previously. But the Israelites “took courage and strengthened themselves” and positioned themselves for the next battle the same as the day before. The story goes on to say that the second day they lost 18,000 men. Wow! They were being courageous and they were still losing the battle; however, they did not give up. They continued to seek God and go again to battle, and ultimately they did defeat their enemy. I am excited and encouraged by people who refuse to give up!
The men of Israel had a choice to make after their first defeat. Would they take courage or take fear? Would they believe that with God they wouldn’t fail and they could try again, or would they take the easy way out and just give up? It takes courage to keep pressing on when you have already experienced failure, but they did it and ended up victorious. Many people who live unfulfilled lives do so because they let one or two failures defeat them. I like to say that we are not failures just because we fail at something. Nobody is a failure until they quit trying.
We are not failures just because we fail at something. Nobody is a failure until they quit trying.
The men of Israel succeeded for three reasons: (1) God was on their side. (2) They took courage. (3) They strengthened themselves. How did they strengthen themselves? I can only imagine since I wasn’t there, but I think they prayed, remembered God’s word to them, encouraged one another, and had a good talk with themselves. Sometimes we have to tell ourselves, I will not give up, and I will succeed. You might even have to say it repeatedly until it sinks in to your consciousness.
A previous loss may discourage us, but people can also discourage us at times. They look at us in the natural, or as we are, and sometimes they discourage us because they just don’t see what God sees. But God sees beyond what we are right now, and He sees what we can be with His help. Don’t take the fear that Satan offers you, because if you do, you are taking a destructive force into your life that weakens and disables you. Take courage and strengthen yourself in the Lord!
Can we catch courage? At first, no; initially, courage must be chosen, but once we get a taste of what courage feels like and we see the benefits it brings, courage becomes contagious! It may start in one area of our life and then spread to all areas. I think the first truly courageous act I did was to finally decide that with God’s help I could overcome my painfully horrible past. I decided to stop being a victim and to stop feeling sorry for myself. Once I made that bold decision, courage began to spread through my entire life. Yes, I still had to choose it each time I needed it, but once I had tasted courage, I couldn’t stomach fear anymore. Why would anyone choose to live a weak, timid, impotent life after they have experienced the benefits of courage? Usually they won’t. They will go from courage to courage and do great things for the glory and honor of God.
The first time I spoke in front of what I thought was a large gathering of people (about 900), I was very afraid. So afraid, in fact, that fear had squeezed my throat shut, and when I initially tried to speak, only a faint squeak came out of me. But I did take courage and I strengthened myself and tried again and was able to speak. That first time ended up being successful. I saw the benefits of courage, and since then I have spoken in front of as many as half a million people at one time in an open-air crusade in India with no fear at all. At this point in my life I am not hesitant to take advantage of any opportunity that God puts in front of me, because I know for certain that if God calls me to do it, He will equip me also. Am I naturally brave? Not really! I have just let courage become contagious in my life. I am addicted to it at this point, and cannot imagine being tormented by fear day and night as I once was. If you are controlled by fear, or if you feel that you have lost opportunities because of it, the good news is that you too can take courage and start enjoying the new opportunities that God will send your way.
I also believe that other people are encouraged as they see us being courageous. They see the joy we have, the power we walk in, and the victory we experience, and they want the same thing. Of course they will have to choose courage, because it won’t just be grafted into them, but we do tend to become like the people we are around. If you want more courage, then spend time with people who are courageous and stop spending excessive time with fearful, defeated people.
If you want more courage, then spend time with people who are courageous and stop spending excessive time with fearful, defeated people.
After God called Gideon to lead His people into victory, and Gideon had finally worked through his own fears and accepted the challenge, the time came when he had to separate himself from other fearful men in order to win the battle.
So now proclaim in the ears of the men, saying, Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him turn back and depart from Mount Gilead. And 22,000 of the men returned, but 10,000 remained.
Judges 7:3
These numbers give us some insight into how many fearful people there are compared to those with courage. Gideon was going to be more powerful with a few courageous men than with a lot of men, most of whom were fearful. Understanding this Scripture has helped me in my own ministry to understand that no matter how fond I am of someone, or how much I don’t want to hurt their feelings, I simply cannot do all that God wants me to do with fearful people by my side.
I am willing to work with those who are fearful to help them overcome their fears, but if they persist in being excessively timid, I have to put them in a position where courage is not needed.
For example, when I leave for a trip to a third-world country that has a history of being dangerous, I use God’s wisdom and have no fear of going. But the team I take with me must also be courageous. I cannot afford to go into spiritually volatile places with fear. If I did, the devil would recognize my fear and it would open a door for him. We must maintain a high level of confidence all the way through a project if we plan to be successful.
Even if you have suffered setbacks, don’t let them fill you with fear. Shake off the disappointment and get reappointed for victory!