Hardly is there any life that is not gripped with fear, at one point. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat from an unsympathetic boss. Driving down for a doctor’s appointment you may be dreading the report card from a check around a certain swelling. Perhaps you have a matter under judgment, say a land issue, and all is in now in the hands of a stern judge, leaving you terrified.

Fear is described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Many huge Biblical characters had to grapple with fear. For example, Moses hesitated when he was commissioned to go back to lead the Israelis out of Egypt (Exodus 4:10). The Lord Jesus Christ trembled with fear as he contemplated the experience that was about to unfold leading to his crucifixion (Mark 14:32-33).

Now, whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for comfort and support.

But then we all know there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight to run to. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share return only hurting and critical feedback. This is what happened to Job when he shared his plight to some of his friends (Job 4:7-8). In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on completely gone.

In such situations what we should you do! Turn to the Lord who has been there. As he contemplated the events to unfold leading to crucifixion Jesus looked to God and prayed (Mat 26: 36-56).

Fear should not overwhelm us because we have God’s word: “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (Gen 18:14). This is what God told Sarah when she was fearful that at an advanced age she wouldn’t deliver a child. “I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jer 32: 27) again the Lord repeated through the prophet Jeremiah.

Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”

So, when faced with fear, do not be terrified, but look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, provide you with ideas and the necessary physical resources to make a way out of nowhere!