This article was written by Rev. Rob Schenck on behalf of The Armor of Light documentary.
Fear is a natural human emotion. Everyone experiences it. Christians are not immune to worry and fretting. Even Jesus, in His humanity, experienced anxiety in the Garden of Gethsemane. The problem arises when you allow your fears and anxieties to prevent you from living your life to the fullest.
Use these five teachings from Jesus to help overcome your fears and not allow them to control your thoughts, relationships, decisions and behavior:
1. If you put Him first, you don't need to worry
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?"
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." - Matthew 6:25 & 33
When you put your trust in the Lord, there is no need to fear. Put His will above your own, and He will open doors to help you provide for you and your family.
2. Let Jesus carry you through your trials
"While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, 'Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?'"
"As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, 'Do not be afraid; only believe.'" - Mark 5: 35-36
Christ is there for you during all your trials. Even when you think you are alone, you are not. He is there. Look to Him and He will help you conquer your trials.
3. Do not fear the storms of life
"Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to the, 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you no faith?" - Mark 4:39-40
Christ is more than able to calm the storms in your life. Even when you're faced with challenges that you think you can't handle, He will take control and soothe your fears. Put your trust in Him, and He will show you the way toward calm in the midst of life's storms.
4. Do not put your trust in man but in Christ
"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." - Matthew 10:28
Many times people put the demands of others before what Christ wants for them. He wants us to always put Him first. When you put your trust in Him, He will give you the confidence to conquer what you fear. There is no need to fear, because He is by your side. He is always victorious and you will be, too, as you stay close by Him.
5. He is always with you
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world give do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." - John 14:27
Never forget that Christ is with you at all times. Look for Him everyday. Call upon Him daily. If you do these things, there is never a need to fear because He will be with you. He will hold you up. Through Christ, you can do all things.
Keeping these words of Jesus Christ in our hearts and minds, meditating on them daily and praying to Him for help in your time of need will fortify you against the sometimes-paralyzing effect of anxiousness and fear. In the end, you can always be like the man who approached Jesus with his dying son by saying "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)
Rev. Rob Schenck is a missionary to top elected and appointed official in Washington, DC. He holds degrees in Bible and Theology, Religion, Christian Ministry, and Church and State. He is a Senior Fellow of the Oxford Centre of the Study of Law and Public Policy, President of the National Clergy Council, and Chairman of the Evangelical Church Alliance. Rev. Schenck is the subject of the new documentary, The Armor of Light, directed by Abigail Disney.
