What Are You Afraid Of?

What Are You Afraid Of?

There seems to be a “phobia” for everything! Look at what I found today:

Nomophobia. The fear or worry at the idea of being without your phone or unable to use it.

Now, this type of fear isn’t your common, everyday fear of realizing that you left your phone on the kitchen table when you left the house ten minutes ago. No, this is a genuine gut-wrenching fear that something will happen, someone will call with an emergency, someone will need you, and you don’t have your phone on you when it happens. You believe the world will be on the brink of collapse…no kidding. People who experience this kind of phobia are honestly afraid that their train will come off the tracks if they don’t have their phone with them at all times.

As unbelievable as that sounds, there are quite a few people who have other phobias of all kinds of things. And here’s the kicker; this year (2020) has made them exponentially worse. People are afraid of what the polarizing political situation is doing to our country. They are afraid that they or a family member will get Covid19 and die. They are afraid that they might get laid off from their job, and much more.

The Bible talks a lot about fear and it generally falls into two categories: fear of things in life and fear of God.

When the Bible talks about “fearing God” (Joshua 4:24, Psalm 119:74, Luke 1:50), it means the kind of fear that displays itself in ultimate respect and reverence.

However, when the Bible talks about being afraid of things, people, and situations in life, it’s a completely different approach. Take a look:

This is My command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.


Joshua 1:9

Joshua and the Israelites were facing a true life or death situation. Any good military commander would have advised Joshua to walk away because he and his army could not win that fight. They had no chance. It was the Alamo, and they would all be slaughtered. There was good reason for legitimate fear and terror.

Yet God clearly told him to move forward, follow His plan, and not worry about the outcome. The plan was unorthodox to say the least and they were mocked by their enemies for days on end. But, in the end, the battle was fought and won by the Israelites.

What are you fearful of today? If it’s something God has tried to steer you away from, then fearing the consequences of pursuing it anyway may be justified. But if you’re fearing something that God has led you into, let me put your heart at rest…God has this. It may be uncomfortable and even painful, but God is in control and He always has your best interests at heart.

For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.