“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

One of the greatest weapons the enemy uses against us is fear. Fear cripples, distracts, and derails the believer from standing firm in God’s promises. Yet, we are reminded of our anchor verse, i.e. 2 Timothy 1:7.

We live in a world filled with many fears, fear of losing a job, fear that our children will go astray, fear of financial loss, fear of rejection or failure. These fears weigh heavily on our hearts and cloud our spiritual vision. They cause us to lose sight of God’s presence and promises.

When we finally go to God in prayer, often we’re already filled with anxiety. And Satan, the deceiver, uses those fears to deepen doubt and evil thoughts that give the enemy access to steal, to kill and to destroy according to his three-fold-mission as described in John 10:10.

Even though we know Scripture, we often react poorly when adversity hits. Fear takes root, and instead of standing in faith, we waver. But Jesus calls us to a different posture. In Mark 11:22-24, He says:

“Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that it will happen, it will be done for them… Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Faith is our anchor, not because we are perfect or righteous, but because He is righteous. Faith is essential in our Christian journey, and it comes by hearing and continually meditating on God’s Word. (Romans 10:17)

But why do we still faint and despair? Why do we allow fear to reign? It is often because our hearts trust more in the systems of this world than in the unchanging Word of God. When those systems crumble—jobs, relationships, health, money—we stumble. But Scripture clearly states in Hebrews 11:1: that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

So, in these last days, let us hold fast to our faith. Let us not be like a wave tossed by the wind (James 1:6), but instead, let our confidence be anchored in Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Let us rise above fear, for we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).