The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
F.E.A.R: False Evidence Appearing Real. We live in a 92-year-old bungalow-style home. In my son’s room there is a large walk-in closet, and when my kids were young, that little room was just large enough to hide something scary that could come out only at night when the lights were out. And the door was often “barred” after dark to keep the scary things inside. There was never anything dark and scary in our closet, but the little noise, or slight creak of the closet door in the breeze brought False Evidence Appearing Real to my young children!
As my kids grew up, the closet became just that–a closet to hang clothes in and throw all manner of sports equipment about. Now, I am afraid to clean it! We all laugh at the imaginary things we feared in our childhood. My kids still laugh about the closet and everything that was placed in front of the door at nightfall. But there are real fears that we all face in life, and we must learn to move forward even when we feel fear or we may never fulfill our life’s callings.
Our loving Father reminds us at least 365 times in His Word NOT to fear. But how do we stop feeling fear? The truth is we don’t. Fear is an emotion and can benefit us in the right situations, even protecting us from harm. But the Lord does tell us–once a day– not to let fear control us or stop us from doing what is right if we feel fear.
Isaiah 41:13 is one beautiful example for us of how God wants to comfort us when we feel fear: “For I the Lord your God hold your right hand, I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!” (Amplified Bible) In this one scripture it says God speaks to us and holds our hand–what comfort this brings! With so many scriptures that speak against the control of fear, there is surely one that can speak to you in whatever you are facing today. Trust God, move forward and fear not, He will be with you!
Your article brought back memories of my childhood. I also thought that the closet in our home held scary monsters after dark.
Sometimes a sibling would tease me by trying to act like this imaginary creature once the lights went off and I would cry and hug the blankets. We use to get yelled at about this matter. My parents didn’t come to the rescue but threatened to punish us if it didn’t stop.
Strange to think back on it after reading your article and now I can laugh about it but at the time it was so real.
Fear can hold us in its grip. Fear doesn’t exist with God and if we are in His hands, we aught not let it control us. How important it is to study and memories verses on this topic so that we can combat this monster that would drag us downward. It is the opposite of trust which The Lord wants us to have in Him.
The darkness within the demonic world uses this tool to destroy lives. We need to be aware of his menacing ways.
One of my favorite verses that I remind my kids is 2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Fear of the Lord is a healthy fear to have, but a spirit of fear is not. Thanks for sharing.
As a child of God what a comfort to envision our loving Father holding our hand, leading us, and helping us when we are afraid. 🙂