In our previous discussions, we’ve explored how fear can poison our minds and bodies. Just like any harmful toxin, fear has an antidote. In fact, the Bible specifically mentions six antidotes to fear. And the best part? God never asks us to do anything without equipping us with the means to do it.
Let’s take a closer look at these biblical antidotes to fear.
1. Trust in God
At the core of fear, anxiety, and worry is often a lack of trust in God. The opposite of fear is trust—trust in God’s faithfulness and ability to handle our worries. Consider these verses:
- “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?” – Psalm 56:3-4
- “In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” – Psalm 56:11
- “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8
- “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 5:36
These verses show us that trust and belief are choices, not just feelings. And, even when it’s difficult, we can always ask God to help us trust more deeply. He never calls us to do something without giving us the tools to make it possible.
2. Rejoice
Fear has a hard time taking root in a heart filled with joy. The Bible encourages us to rejoice, even in difficult times:
- “Fear not, O land; Be glad and rejoice, For the Lord has done marvelous things!” – Joel 2:21
When we choose to rejoice, even in the midst of fear, we shift our focus from the problem to God’s goodness and faithfulness. Rejoicing is an antidote that reminds us of the joy we have in Him.
3. Perfect Love
The third antidote is love—specifically, God’s perfect love. The Bible says:
- “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:18
When we embrace God’s perfect love for us, fear has no place. Perfect love and fear cannot coexist. God’s love reassures us, calms our hearts, and dispels fear.
4. Remembering God’s Faithfulness
When fear creeps in, one of the best antidotes is to look back on how God has led us in the past. Reflecting on His faithfulness can help us trust Him more in the present:
- “…you shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt…” – Deuteronomy 7:18
Just like the Israelites were told to remember God’s deliverance from Egypt, we can remember the times God has carried us through difficult situations. Recalling past victories boosts our confidence in God’s ability to handle our current fears.
5. Singing
Singing is a powerful antidote to fear. There’s something about lifting our voices in praise that shifts our perspective:
- “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’” – Isaiah 12:2
Fear is diminished when we sing of God’s strength and salvation. In my own life, I’ve found that singing—whether I feel like it or not—helps me regain perspective and peace. It may be more effective than simply listening to music because singing engages both the body and the mind.
6. Seeking God
Finally, the sixth antidote is seeking God. When we seek Him, He promises to deliver us from our fears:
- “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.” – Psalm 34:4
God is always available to help us with our fears. If you’re wondering how to give your fears to Him, you’re not alone. We’ll explore practical steps on how to do this in the final part of this series.
Equipped for the Battle
With these six biblical antidotes—trust, rejoicing, love, remembering, singing, and seeking God—we are armed to fight the battle against fear, worry, and anxiety. And the best part? We don’t fight alone. God is with us every step of the way.
Stay tuned for the next part of our series, where we’ll dive deeper into how to practically give our fears to God.
