Speak Peace Over Fear

President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” during his first inaugural address on March 4, 1933.  I’m sure this is the mindset of the majority of people who are aware of—and perhaps have experienced firsthand—confrontations with those who have chosen the darker paths of society: those who run our streets at night and even during daylight hours, seeking whom they may intimidate, threaten, or steal from.

But wait.  Doesn’t the Bible say something about love having power over fear?  “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).

I ask, “Who was perfect in every way when He walked the earth?”  It was none other than Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God—God incarnate in the flesh.  In Him is perfect love.

When a person is in Christ, walking with Him daily, they can walk in His peace rather than being controlled by fear.

The day Jesus’ disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee, a raging storm came out of nowhere.  Waves began crashing over the boat, threatening to swamp it.  These men feared for their lives, but the Giver of Life was asleep in the stern.

Jesus arose and rebuked the winds and the sea.  The elements obeyed His command when He said, “Peace, be still!”  Then He gently rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith: “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?”  (Matthew 8:26).

Their trust in God had faltered in a moment of fear, worry, and doubt.  Jesus showed them that even in the midst of a raging storm, faith must rise above fear.

We may not be facing a literal storm in these worrisome days, but the storms of life can rise up without warning at any time.  They can leave us feeling overwhelmed, with fear coming in like a flood.

But when a child of God gains control of their emotions and composure after the initial shock of a situation, they can choose to speak peace over fear and begin walking in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit.

Fear must bow to the Prince of Peace when we call upon the name of Jesus.

The next time fear raises up and it becomes difficult to focus, call upon the name of Jesus.  Speak peace over fear in His name, and remember that the One who calmed the storm on Galilee is still the same Jesus today.

Written by,

Papa Boyd