Don't Fear What They Fear

Lately, I’ve thought, “If I see or hear the word COVID One. More.Time. I’m going to burst into flames!” And yet, we’re still not out of the woods. And it seems like we won’t be for a long while. Anyone else feel like you’re suffocating? Under your mask, news headlines, racial tension, political unrest, or the threat of financial collapse? Are fear and anxiety eroding your well-being?

In my recent study of 1 Peter, I came across a passage that was a breath of fresh air, a light in the dark. It lifted the weight from my chest. I’ve found myself returning to these words often. Maybe you need them as much as I do.

Digging a little deeper, I found that Peter was referencing Isaiah 8. My jaw dropped when I read these words:

“Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, Him you shall honor as holy. Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. And He will be to you a sanctuary...” Isa 8:12-13 (ESV)

As a recipient of many conspiracy-theory laden videos and messages, I literally shouted, “WHAAAAAT?!” The relevance of God’s word keeps blowing me away! Isaiah was writing to the Israelites, telling them of the coming Assyrian invasion. Peter was writing to Christians facing fierce persecution. The message to both of them was the same: Even if you should suffer... even when you’re surrounded by enemies…even as the life you’ve always known falls to pieces around you... even when the news reports are one tragedy upon another… Do not fear what the world fears. You fear the LORD alone.

Let’s take a closer look at these words in 1 Peter, and be filled with hope!

“But even if...”

We 20th-century American Christians haven’t had to deal with suffering for our faith the way Jesus predicted...yet. But a day may be coming when choosing Jesus over the world will be very costly. His word to us will be the same as it was 2,000 years ago, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share in Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.” I Peter 4:12-13 (ESV) When suffering comes to us for our faith we can rejoice, not despite our suffering, but because of it.

We’ve been conditioned to think suffering is something to avoid at all costs. But Jesus and His early followers (and many in other parts of the world today) realize that the call to follow Him is often a call to suffer. As 1 Peter 2:21 says, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” (ESV)

“you should suffer for what is right…”

We may be misunderstood, maligned, and suffer actual persecution for believing and living out our faith. The message of the cross is foolishness to the world. It’s offensive. It’s a stumbling block. Speaking and living the truth of scripture is counter-cultural and may bring consequences to bear on our lives that are painful and even possibly deadly. We endure because we know this isn’t the end of the story. Suffering as a Christian eventually culminates in glory.

“...you are blessed.”

Blessed = happy, fortunate, to be envied. Though outwardly, we may suffer, ultimately we are amassing eternal blessings. Anything this world throws at us will not compare to our glorious future! “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,” 2 Cor 4:17 (ESV)

“Do not fear their threats…”

Peter tells us not to be struck with fear or alarm at intimidation tactics. The word “threats” literally means “to make you feel inadequate and without resources”. But we are never without means in Christ, in whom we have all the riches of God’s glory! Their threats are lies and deceptions with no substance behind them.

“neither be troubled…”

Troubled = to be agitated (shake to and fro) / emotional agitation from getting too stirred up inside. Hello! Can anyone relate to this? That shaky feeling that comes because of swirling headlines, dismal conversations, and doomsday predictions? When those moments hit, we remind ourselves, “Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:2 (NIV)

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord…”

Instead of quaking with fear, set apart Christ as the master of your inner world. To set apart Christ as Lord is to choose to bow my heart, mind, will, and emotions to Jesus Christ, rather than a scary headline, or newsfeed. Let your inner self be ruled by Christ (not the storm-tossed winds of our culture.) We can be confident because we believe what Psalm 119:68 says about God, “You are good, and what You do is good…” (NIV)

“always be prepared to give an answer…”

At every moment, be ready with a well-thought-out response. If taken to court, we should be able to give a compelling argument as to why we have HOPE! Our trust is not in this world, or it’s systems, but in the One who reigns and rules above it all.

“... to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

Friends, this world is getting darker by the day, by the hour. This is our moment to SHINE!!! Everyone should be wondering what our secret is. Why do we have so much hope? The worse things get, the more opportunities we have to share the Good News.”Prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13 (ESV)

“But do this with gentleness and respect.”

Even though they didn’t have Social Media back in the day, I imagine Christians could get pretty ugly in making their defense. And so Peter urges us to spread hope with gentleness, with respect. Not everyone will be able to understand. People will come at us with all kinds of arguments. People will scream and rant and spew their anger at us. We don’t have to follow suit. Let’s keep our words and actions gentle and respectful. Please.

So later today, as we’re watching the news, or listening to a conversation in the grocery store, or getting messages from anxiety-ridden friends or family members, we can call these words to mind, “Do not fear what they fear.” Maybe someone will ask us to share the reason for our hope. Let’s be ready to answer them.