Therefore, we will not fear.

As followers of Christ, we have freedom from fear.

In Scripture, we see a stark contrast to the fearful spirit of our age.

In Scripture, we see a stark contrast to the fearful spirit of our age. Psalm 46:1-3 reminds us: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”

Mountains being moved into the sea is indeed frightening. Today’s war-torn world is likewise alarming, but the Psalmist says we can have victory over fear because the all-powerful God is our “refuge and strength.” God is our “very present help.”

King David experienced many threats and dangers, but he knew this truth: “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)

Jesus’ Countercultural Message

I have always loved Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. It offers wisdom that directly challenges the power-obsessed, fear-fueled, culture of our day. In this Sermon, Jesus reminds us to:

• Pursue quietness and gentleness. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matt. 5:5)
• Embody mercy. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matt. 5:7)
• Practice peace. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matt. 5:9)
• Shine his light. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16)
• Love and pray for our enemies. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:43-45)

Such countercultural living will always combat fear.

Live at Peace with Everyone

The Apostle Paul similarly reminds us to seek to live at peace with everyone.

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." (Rom. 12:14-18, ESV) 

Four Principles for Overcoming Fear

Here are four simple principles for living and leading beyond fear:

1. Remember Who You Are

Remembering our identity can help us overcome worldly fear. It also allows us to lead differently.

Remembering our identity can help us overcome worldly fear.

When our Lord Jesus appeared before the Roman official Pontius Pilate, he had a telling interaction. Pilate sought to examine Jesus, saying: “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” (John 18:35)

Jesus replied in a calm and confident way that must have perplexed Pilate, steeped as he was in worldly Roman power. “Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.’” (John 18:36)

Pilate prized earthly political power, but the all-powerful Jesus pointed to the kingdom of God guided by different principles. Jesus’ earthly ministry centered on the good news of that “not of this world” kingdom. “Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.” (Luke 8:1)

We have been adopted into God’s family. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ…” (Eph. 1:3-5)

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are a part of his now and future kingdom. As such, we are sojourners in this world. That allows us to bring heavenly perspective to this world’s problems.

We need not live in fearful anxiety. We are children of a King who is also our Abba Father.

2. Be a Winsome Ambassador

Choose winsomeness over fear. The world is watching how we Christians engage culture. Our words and our actions matter. That includes our social media presence, our style of political engagement, our neighborly relations, how we lead, and more.

We should engage on the vital topics impacting culture. However, we must remember that those who disagree with us are not our enemies. God deeply loves us, but he also deeply loves those who hold opposing views. We can advocate while genuinely respecting others and listening well to their perspectives.

Each individual with whom we engage is created in God’s image with innate dignity. It is noteworthy that respecting the biblical principle of human dignity is a distinctive strength of democracies. By contrast, autocracies deny human dignity. Defending democratic freedoms helps preserve respect for human dignity.

Remember, God asks us to be his kingdom ambassadors.

Remember, God asks us to be his kingdom ambassadors. We are to winsomely invite others into his kingdom, so how we engage with others matters profoundly. The Apostle Paul modeled this: “And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (1. Cor. 5:19-20)

3. Seek and Speak Truth

We should seek truth to vanquish fear-inducing falsehoods. Bonnie Kristian in her book Untrustworthy (Brazos Press, 2022) says our culture faces an epistemic crisis. “Our information environment is chaotic and overwhelming, rife with conspiracy theories…,” says Kristian. “(C)onspiracism is always epistemic poison. This accusatory, credulous mindset, more than any individual theory, is what contributes to our epistemic crisis.”

We can help others resist false, fear-driven theories by boldly but gently speaking truth.

We should also speak truth to combat the polarization of fear-based tribalism. In The Multi-Directional Leader (The Gospel Coalition, 2021) Dr. Trevin Wax says, “Multi-directional leaders must have the courage to pursue godly leadership according to the qualifications we see in the New Testament, and wisdom requires us to recognize and reject the rules of polarization we’ve inherited. If truth transcends our tribal loyalties, and if dangers do appear from multiple directions, then we can’t allow polarization to become an excuse for silence.”

We can graciously transcend fear-motivated tribalism because our true identity is in Christ.

4. Boldly Cast Anxiety onto God

Finally, remember that in Christ we have victory over fear.

Philippians 4:6-8 reminds us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Let’s emulate those first-century fishermen, boldly casting our anxieties onto God.

Once, while aboard a boat on the Sea of Galilee, I watched our guide cast a fishing net onto the placid water as was done by fishermen in Jesus’ day. It reminded me of the verse: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Pet. 5:7)

Let’s emulate those first-century fishermen, boldly casting our anxieties onto God. He is trustworthy.

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid…” (Isaiah 12:2, ESV)

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W. Scott Brown, CCNL, is Vice President of Leadership Experiences and Resources for Christian Leadership Alliance, and Editor-in-Chief of Outcomes magazine. Earlier in his career, Scott served as a legislative adviser to members of the US Senate and US House of Representatives. He and his wife Kristin still live in the Washington DC region today.

Listen to W. Scott Brown in an audio version of his Summer 2022 Outcomes magazine article “A Winsome Witness.”

 Learn more about Outcomes magazine.