Fear is not Necessarily a Bad Thing, but it Can Be

Fear is not necessarily a bad thing, but it can be.

A healthy fear can help keep us safe.

An irrational fear can take the joy out of life and leave one living with daily misery.

Fear is used to control us. In today’s world of continuous communication and information, fear-mongering has become popular on the cable television networks, on social media, and other means of communication. There are those who perpetuate the fear of others—others being anyone not like us.

Advertisers use fear to sell. I heard a radio commercial recently that said we should buy gold because the economy is likely to crash any day now. Of course this is the same commercial that has been running for years.

There are a lot of things that bring fear into our lives. It’s how we deal with those fears that make the difference.

As we look at the world today, there are a lot of things that can strike fear in our hearts. We must be careful that these fears don’t become irrational, or that we don’t allow someone, some fear-mongerer, to keep us living with a constant feeling of terror.

The wars bring fear; for we have no idea how they might spread or how they end.

Terrorist strike fear, which, of course, is their intent.

Diseases strike fear, especially those we don’t understand, or can’t fully control.

Violence and potential violence brings fear; for there is an evil to violence.

The list goes on. What is it that you fear the most? What is it that you fear the most for your children and grandchildren?

Some people use the biblical book of Revelation to feed our fears. The language John used to describe the Revelation given to him on that Sunday long ago on the Island of Patmos does lend itself to fear, when not properly understood.

And now we see many people declaring the war in Israel marks the end of times. But…before we go on, we should consult Jesus on the matter. Do we trust Jesus or someone trying to sell a book? Do we trust Jesus or some preacher clamoring for attention? Do we trust Jesus or someone who post a meme on social media? It comes down to…who do you trust?

“But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36) It’s amazing how some believe they know more than the angels of heaven, or even Christ Jesus the Son.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know—you do not know—when the time will come.” (Mark 13:32)

“It is not for you to know the times or the periods that the Father has set by his own authority.” (Acts 1:7)

I’m not sure Jesus could have made it any clearer. So why is it that so many people don’t believe Jesus, but choose to believe someone who claims to know all about the end of times?

It is true that we live in a dangerous time, but this isn’t the only dangerous time in history. There is a war in Israel which so many read as a sign of the end, but this isn’t the first war in Israel; there have been many, almost unending wars in Israel’s history. The war in Ukraine is not the first time there has been an aggressor, a would-be conqueror on the world stage. The white horse with its rider of conquest has ridden across the pages of history many times before, and the bright red horse with its rider of war and annihilation has been riding the globe for centuries.

The earthquakes, famines, diseases, and pestilences we see are not the first to appear in the world. “There will be famines, and earthquakes in various places; all these are but the beginning of the birth pangs.” (Matthew 24:7b-8)

There are many happenings in the world that can be used to strike fear in our hearts. Once more I remind us that a healthy fear helps us prepare; an unhealthy fear sucks the joy out of life.

When John first received the Revelation, he was given a vision of the risen Christ. This was before the seals on the scroll were broken and he saw the four horsemen and their conquest, wars, famines, and plagues. This was before he saw a vision of terrible things that must unfold. The vision of the risen Christ that John saw struck so much fear in him that he fell at his feet as though dead—he was so afraid he passed out, fainted, keeled over, flaked out.

Let’s pay close attention to what happened next; for it is of utmost importance for every Christian. Here’s how John described it: “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. BUT he placed his right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one.” (Revelation 1:17-18.)

Many of the things we worry over and fear never happen. But when things do happen, and they will, that brings fear to us, we should remember what the risen Christ said to John, “Do not be afraid.” It comes down to the overlap of the words faith and trust.

God gave John the Revelation, and God has given us the Revelation, not to strike fear, but to show us God’s plan will unfold even when it seems to us it is not, or can not.

God’s justice will be done.

Evil will be defeated.

One day, a day of God’s timing and his timing alone…

“Then I saw a great white throne and the One who sat on it; the earth and the heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works, s recorded in the books.” (Revelation 20:11-12)

God’s justice will be served.

But the Revelation was given to provide believers comfort and hope in the midst of the struggles of life, and not to bring fear and dread. So let’s continue with the Revelation: “And I heard a voice from the throne saying,

‘See, the home (tabernacle, dwelling place) of God is among mortals.

He will dwell with them;

they will be his peoples,

and God himself will be with them;

he will wipe every tear from their eyes.

Death will be no more;

mourning and crying and pain will be no more,

for the first things have passed away.’” (Revelation 21:3-4)

When fear grips your soul, when terror strikes your heart, when life comes crashing down with panic, hold on to your faith in God, in Jesus the One who is the first and the last, and trust the One who has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. We may not be delivered from the struggles of life, but he will see us through the trials, troubles, and tribulations.

“Do not be afraid…” Trust him!