How Fear Loses its Power

Daniel 3:17-18

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods nor worship the golden statue that you have set up.” 

During the Covid shutdown, our team created and facilitated a digital Bible study called Resolute: Developing ‘Even If’ Faith.

This study changed our lives, and I still use its principles often in conversation and in ministry. The main idea of the study, in summary, was to trade our “what-if’s” for “even-if’s.”

To start, we have to acknowledge what our “what-if’s” are. If we will sit with the Lord and ask him to reveal what we are afraid of, then write them down, we will find that they usually begin with some semblance of “what if.” 

• What if I never get married?

• What if I never have children?

• What if I fail?

• What if ‘so-and-so’ leaves me?

• What if someone I love gets sick?

• What if I struggle financially for the rest of my life?

• What if people think poorly of me?

We could go on and on obviously, but I would encourage you to sit with the Lord and write down your own “what-if’s.”

Then take them to God.

In the above passage of Scripture, we see Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego basically say, “God can, and we believe that he will. But even if he does not…”

And that’s what we have to do. We have to say, “God can, and I believe that he will….

• Lead me to my spouse.

• Allow me to have children.

• Help me not to fail.

• Keep me from being alone.

• Keep the ones I love well.

• Bring me to a season where I do not struggle financially.

• Uphold my reputation.

…But even if he does not, I will…

• Continue to praise him.

• Believe he is good, loving, and faithful.

• Be upheld by his strength.

• Be guarded by his peace.

• Be comforted by his presence.

• Trust that his plan is perfect and that he knows things I don’t know.

• Believe he will use all things in my life for my good and his glory.”

And watch fear lose its power. 

For when fear is brought into the light and exposed to the truth of God’s Word, fear becomes powerless.

Oh Lord, thank you for the power and promises you give us through your Word! Help us to recognize the fears we hold onto in our lives, and give us the courage and defiance to speak truth those fears. Amen.