There is a lot to be fearful about in our world today. Turn on the news or go on social media and we’re barraged with frightening stories about mass shootings, economic crises, natural disasters, food shortages, disease outbreaks, nuclear threats and the potential for civil or world war. TV commercials alarm us about identity theft, home invasions, drunk drivers and life-threatening diseases. 

That’s on top of all the other things we might worry about like whether we’ll be able to land a job or stay employed, whether our wages or savings will be enough to survive on, and what the prognosis will be if we’re diagnosed with a serious medical condition. Some people grapple with fear of rejection, failure, shame, being alone, crowds, change, or the unknown. As we age, we might experience anxiety about who will take care of us or become scared of death.   

Being fearful of these things isn’t necessarily wrong. In its basic sense, fear is defined as “an emotional response to a perceived threat.” Fear can be either fortifying or crippling. On the constructive side, fear is beneficial if it motivates us to take action to avoid impending danger or problems.  

For instance, knowing that certain grocery items might not be available or become too expensive in the future might motivate us to plant a garden or stock up on some products now when they’re more affordable. Going to the doctor for checkup when we first notice physical abnormalities might enable ailments to be treated while they’re still minor, before they become catastrophic. 

Included here would be having fear and reverence towards God—that we strive to obey Him because we know that is the way to a truly joyful and meaningful life, and that disobedience only leads to pain and destruction.  

Fear becomes destructive when we obsess and worry continually about what might happen, and allow fear to rule or dominate our lives. This is the kind of fear the Bible warns against when it tells us over and over again to “fear not,” “do not be afraid,” “do not worry,” “do not fret,” and “be anxious for nothing.”  

Living in a constant state of anxiety is in stark contrast to what 2 Timothy 1:7 says: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” When we experience anything other than clear-thinking and confidence in any circumstance, it’s not coming from God. Ultimately, it is Satan who instills the unhealthy kind of fear in us, and he does so because he knows that is how he controls and destroys us.  

There are many ways fear can harm us. Usually when it’s gotten hold of me, it’s having at least one or all of the following effects on my life: 

1. Fear weakens our physical health

When we live in a state of anxiety our bodies can’t function normally. Sleep is elusive, fatigue sets in, and our immune system becomes compromised. Our risk increases for developing high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, migraines, eating disorders, stomach pain and ulcers.   

2. It steals our joy

Fear places us in bondage. We can’t enjoy the sunshine, sunsets or being with friends, or be uplifted by the natural beauty around us during a walk in the park, if we’re consumed by a big black cloud of worry. All the horrible things that could happen dominate our thoughts, and prevent us from seeing what’s uplifting and pleasant.   

3. It destroys our ability to do the things we need to do

Obsessing over our fears paralyzes us and steals our time. We’re not going to be able to focus on constructive tasks if we’re directing our time and energies to nursing our fears. Worry can also make us feel worn-out, which makes us even less productive.  

4. We can no longer think rationally

The negative emotions that accompany fear overwhelm the prefrontal cortex (the section of the brain that is used to assess risk and think critically), preventing it from functioning as it should. Our emotions take over, putting our brain in “freeze mode.” When that happens, we can’t address or even detect the facts, and can easily be misled and manipulated.

5. We overlook God’s truths and promises

Unless we make a concerted effort to read the Bible or reflect on how God has intervened for us in the past, what’s going to seem most real to us is all the drama we’re facing right now. Yet God’s truths and promises are what have eternal value and what we should be focusing on. Today’s afflictions, ordeals and concerns are temporary, and any pain we have to endure now is worth it if that’s what it takes to be in God’s Kingdom (Romans 8:18). We often forget that when we’re consumed with fear. 

6. It impedes our spiritual growth

When we worry, we have in effect decided to disobey God’s commands to not be afraid, and are putting ourselves and our own perspectives ahead of what God tells us to do. This leads to serious spiritual problems. We can’t grow in godly character and understanding if we aren’t humbly submitting to God’s teachings (1 Peter 2:2). When we decide for ourselves how we should live, that blocks our minds from grasping how God thinks. 

7. Fear separates us from God

The more we feed into worry, the less we trust God to see us through our circumstances and the “farther away” He seems to be. Our actions and thoughts start to reflect someone who doesn’t believe God exists or cares about us. It becomes impossible to have a close relationship with God—when that’s what we need first and foremost to face our fears. 

The antidote to fear is summed up in James 4:8: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Whenever we start feeling fearful, that is a good time to pray and study the Bible, to get our minds on God. That will loosen fear’s grip over us.   

I’ve also found it helpful to remind myself of all the ways fear is destructive. This is always a big prod for me to stop obsessing. We won’t be in a position to constructively address any of the challenges in our personal lives or in our world today if we allow our fears to weaken us. But if we’re in good physical and spiritual health, thinking clearly, remembering God’s truths and staying close to Him, we certainly will be.