In the course of preparing for our upcoming Moriah retreat: Believe: Breaking the Relentless Cycle of Failure and Defeat, I have come to an unsettling realization regarding the epidemic of fear that plagues today’s world. Daily faced with a landslide of reports involving natural disasters, mass shootings and abuse on women and children, America’s arsenal of weaponry can do little to calm anxious hearts. One result (as I reference in my book Real Women Cry and real men let them) is the tens of millions of prescriptions handed out for the generic form of Xanax, making it the 13th most commonly sold medication. Sadly, two-thirds of these prescriptions are written for women.[1]
In this day of social media and “connectedness,” fear-related feelings of isolation and loneliness have no doubt contributed to the astronomical rise in suicide rates. In 2016, nearly 45,000 Americans age 10 or older died by ending their own lives.[2] And–if you listen closely–many top Christian songs flooding today’s airways are dealing head-on with the subject of fear underscoring that believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are being deeply affected along with the rest of the world. Wherein then lies our hope?
As Christian artist Zach Williams poignantly tells us in song: fear is a liar. Blessedly, such a statement is flat-out Scriptural in its claim as 2 Timothy 1:7 reveals: “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Since it is not of God, fear is exposed as nothing more than a lie coming from Satan who Jesus plainly calls “the father of lies.” (John 8:44). Not only can we securely rest in this distinction but we can also know that real and everlasting comfort can be found in the “perfect love” of God that “casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18) In today’s chaotic world, the answer–the only answer–to all our fear is the same as it has been for thousands of years: to trust in the perfect love of God that begins with the simple message of the Gospel:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).
So much more than a “prayer for salvation,” this incredible statement is meant to have its way in us throughout our entire earthly lives, eradicating fear at its root through the incredible love of God that gives us security both now and forever. Yes, as Jesus tells us, “In this world we will have trouble,” but we can “take heart” against fear because His amazing love at Calvary’s cross has “overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Let us daily encourage ourselves and each other with this truth! And, should you need further reinforcement, there are 365 Bible verses (one for every day of the year) that instruct us not to fear!
For any who may have not yet accepted the love of God through the Person of Jesus Christ, this is an excellent time to do so. God waits for you with a desire to eradicate the lies of fear that hold you captive and replace them with the freedom that comes from living in the security of His love for you. –CHCD
[1] P.69, 2012 statistic taken from “Emergency departments see increased visits involving the nonmedical use of sedative alprazolam,” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), May 22, 2014. http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/201405221200.
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2018/p0607-suicide-prevention.html