I’ve never been afraid of snakes. I grew up in a house with a brother who caught snakes all the time. There was this one time, though…
I was with my brother, of course, hunting snakes. I remember that we were in what I would describe as a swampy area, with water standing in various areas, walking along a path, when we came across a cotton mouth (it’s a venomous water moccasin, for those of you unfamiliar), and my brother began to poke at it with the sand wedge he was carrying. Did I mention that I was six and he was ten? The snake became more than a little agitated and began to strike and open its mouth (see the pic below)…and I fell apart. I began screaming and crying, afraid that my brother was going to be bitten more than being afraid of the snake. I still feel it, just describing the scene. It was intense. That was real fear.
Fear is a natural human emotion. It can be a healthy response to danger, but it can also be debilitating. When fear takes over, it can prevent us from living our lives in a way that God desires.
The Bible has a lot to say about fear. It teaches us that fear is not from God, but from the enemy. God wants us to live in peace and confidence, not in fear.
There are many ways to overcome fear from the Bible. Here are a few tips:
- Remember who you are in Christ. You are a child of God, and He loves you unconditionally. He has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
- Meditate on God’s Word. The Bible is full of promises that can help us overcome fear. For example, Psalm 23 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”
- Pray for help. God is our refuge and strength, and He is always there to help us in our time of need. When you are feeling afraid, pray and ask God to give you His peace and strength.
- Trust in God’s timing. Sometimes, God allows us to experience fear so that we can learn to trust Him more. When we trust in God’s timing, we can know that He is in control and that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
- Take action. Sometimes, the best way to overcome fear is to take action. If you are afraid of public speaking, for example, you could join a Toastmasters club or volunteer to give a presentation at your church. By taking action, you will learn that you are capable of more than you thought you were.
Overcoming fear is not always easy, but it is possible with God’s help.
Here are some additional Bible verses that can help:
- “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
- “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
- “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Do you have a memory of a fearful situation that can still make you palms sweaty and the hair stand up on the back of your neck? Share it in the comments.