On a warm summer day in Phoenix, with the bright desert sun painting the mountains in hues of gold, I sat there with frozen thoughts swirling in a storm of “what ifs?”. Not even the 90-plus-degree Fahrenheit weather could have melted off the cold feeling that had hijacked my mind. In a second, I had turned from a very rational and analytical engineer into a quivering bundle of anxiety. Here I was, robbed of joy and peace by a very cunning thief – FEAR!
I had a difficult discussion with my manager, and by the time it was over, my heart was racing. I felt the fear of failure rushing through every fibre of my being. I thought to myself, “What if I am not good enough to be an Engineer? Maybe there are easier jobs out there that are more forgiving of failure.” Engineering is hard, especially when you work with nano-scale technology like I do. In the semiconductor industry, a simple mistake can cost a company millions, supply chain delays, and worst case, the loss of a trusted customer. I had come close to making a very costly decision, and that was quite scary. While I would like to go on talking about my “awesome job”, let me cut to the chase here: I am amazed at how such a small four-letter word like “fear” had sent my mind spiralling in just a moment.
Fear has a way of distorting reality, magnifying challenges, and casting a shadow over our capabilities. As humans, we face fear almost daily. It can be a tool for survival and a protective mechanism, but it can also be limiting in many ways. When I shared my frustrations with a good friend, he sent me this: “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). After meditating on this many times since then, I have learned quite a few things which I want to share with you. This scripture tells me that fear seeks to fight God’s gifts to us which are: Power, Love, and a Sound Mind. God says one thing, and fear tells you the opposite.
God says you are powerful, but fear echoes weakness. Fear is determined to rob us of the power that God has put in us: the power to overcome obstacles, face adversity, and walk in the fullness of our potential; the power to step out each day knowing who we are (1 Peter 2:9-10) and fully trusting that our God holds the times and seasons of our lives.
God says you are loved, but fear says you are rejected. Fear makes you believe that you don’t belong in the spaces you have been planted in, and tells you that you will fail and everyone will walk away disappointed. Nevertheless, 2 Timothy 1:7 speaks of God’s gift of love. Love has the transformative power to cast out fear (1 John 4:18). When we are rooted in God’s love, we find the strength to confront our fears and that love empowers us to extend grace to ourselves and others, fostering an environment in which we can grow. Fear whispers isolation but love shouts connection!
God blesses us with a sound mind that enables us to think, discern truth from lies, make rational decisions, and see things as they truly are and not from the lens of our past. Fear, on the other hand, sends you into a state of anxiety and worry, always trying its best to present you with False Evidence Appearing Real. God’s intention was for our minds to dwell on “… whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8).
Here is a practical guide for dealing with some common fears. You can print this out and paste it in a location you can reference often.
| FEAR | Response | Scriptural reference(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Fear of Failure | Trust God | Proverbs 3:5-7 |
| Fear of Change | Trust God |
Isaiah 41:10 Proverbs 3:5-7 |
| Fear of People | Run to Community | Psalm 27:1 |
| Fear of Rejection & Fear of Isolation | Run to Community |
Deuteronomy 31:8 John 14:27 |
| Fear of Missing out | Submit to God’s will |
1 Corinthians 10:23 Romans 8:18 |
| Fear of the Future | Trust God and submit to his will |
Jeremiah 29:11 Philippians 4:6-7 |
| Fear of the unknown | Trust God and submit to his will | Isaiah 41:10 |
| Fear of evil | Trust God | Psalm 23:4 |
Remember that fear may be a cunning thief, but you are not a helpless victim. You are fully equipped to overcome it. Hence, the next time fear comes knocking, grab the weapons God has given you: the power of His Spirit, the shield of His love, and the sword of a sound mind. Step out fearlessly!
See all Bible References below:
Proverbs 3:5-7
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Psalm 27:1
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?”
Deuteronomy 31:8
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
John 14:27
“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.”
1 Corinthians 10:23
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.
Romans 8:18
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”
Philippians 4:6-7
“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.”
Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”