According to a 1960s study, we are born with two fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. These are typically thought of as innate survival fears—ones that would help us survive when necessary. Other fears we learn along the way. Spiders, snakes, the dark—“You get evidence from your parents and your environment that you need to be scared of these things,” says Seth Norrholm, translational neuroscientist at Emory University.[1]
As a leader, we might work on overcoming fears and phobias that we believe keep us from reaching our full potential or leading effectively. In Scripture we see fears such as inadequacy, fear of disapproval (Matthew 1:18-20), fear of the unexpected (Luke 2:9), fear of losing control (Mark 6:20), or fear of being disappointed (Luke 1:13-18).[2] These are some of the many fears that God can help us overcome. The Bible also gives us a clear path to leading fearlessly:
Look to the promises of God. The Bible is filled with God’s promises to us, and among those are God’s promises to remove the fears of those who trust in Him. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” In the New Testament His promises continue: “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” (Philippians 4:6-7). God promises over and over that those who follow Him need not live in a state of fear.
What is the opposite of being fearful? Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Do you lead courageously and with strength of character and purpose? If you are following God you can lead a life undaunted. The Bible is persistent in building our trust in God. The more we trust God in every element of life and work, the less we have to fear.
Voice your praise to God. It might sound hokey, but voicing praise of God—who He is and for what He has done—can alleviate fear. Indeed many of the Psalms are not simply poems, but songs. Psalm 56:3-4 sings, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” What a great rhetorical question the songwriter asks. If we are trusting God and praising Him, what could any person possibly do to us? After all they’re mere mortals!
In fearful days or hours, consider putting in some Airpods or the car stereo and listening to worship and praise music. We sing praises in church in part because praising God helps to alleviate fear and pushes us to be bold and strong in the way we follow Him. Psalm 27:1 praises God by saying, “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?”[3]
Surrender to the will of God. Remember when you are following God wholeheartedly, you have nothing to fear. Job 11:13-15 tells us, “Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear.” Notice the prerequisite of focusing on God by putting away sin, stepping away from those who disobey God, and devoting your heart to God’s purposes.
Have you ever thought about healthy fear? God tells us one prominent fear that is good to have: fear of God Himself. But this is not the abject-terror type of fear. It is a sense of awe and submission to God. When we fear God, we appreciate His character, we are moved to believing and trusting Him, and we develop concern for disobeying God, and so being subjected to God’s justice. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Awe and submission to God, then, is a fear that brings us wisdom, knowledge and understanding. When we understand the fear of God, then we can lead a fearless life. In our submission to God there is nothing else we need to fear.
There are aspects of the Father that go above our heads. Though we can’t possibly know all the ways of God, we can know, in a broad sense, how God’s ways are higher our ways.