Overcoming Fear and Anxiety
in the End Times

Love, Courage, and Self-Control

The prophet Daniel was steadfast in his walk with God. He had unshakable faith, yet look at his reaction to learning about the end times:

"As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed within me, and the visions in my mind kept alarming me." --- Daniel 7:15 NASB

"At this point the revelation ended. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were greatly alarming me and my face grew pale, but I kept the matter to myself." -- Daniel 7:28 NASB

"And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king's business, but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it." --- Daniel 8:27

Upon hearing about the end times, the prophet Daniel was sick of heart for many days. If it affects Daniel this way, how will it affect us?

As the end times unfold and the book of Daniel is "unsealed," we too will be sick of heart and even to the point of despair.
However, the Lord will sustain us, and with His help, we will rise to the occasion. We will move beyond this despair, and as we draw closer to God, we will be able to steady the fearful emotions of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?" ---- Psalms 56:3-4

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence.
--- Psalms 42:5 NASB

According to scripture, the book of Daniel was sealed until the end times:
"He said, Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time. 10 Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand." ---Daniel 12:9-10

The end times are upon us. Will the book of Daniel now bring greater understanding to the end times than previous generations? I think the answer is yes.

Fear -- Love
Courage
Self-Control

To overcome anxiety and fear, we need courage, self-control, and especially love.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
-- Psalms 27:1

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
-- Philippians 4:6-7

Jesus said,
"Do not be afraid any longer, only believe."
--Mark 5:36

Fear -- Love Fear is a natural feeling, and not all fear is bad. If we are standing too close to the edge of a cliff, fear can be our friend, telling us to move back!
However, much of the fear we see around us today is on going and based on an anxious heart. (Isaiah 35:4) We cannot continually live with this type of fear.

This type of fear and worry has paralyzed much of the world.

But as children of God, we are not of the world; We belong to Jesus.
And the Lord entreats us throughout scripture not to be afraid, for we are secure in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.

And when we are caught off-guard, we may have momentary fear but it should not last long. An unexpected event might produce some fear but our courage, based on our relationship with the Lord, should rise above that fear very quickly.

We cannot allow an event to control our emotions.
We should rest in the Lord knowing that He has control over any event.
We cannot live in fear.

Fear can be conquered by keeping our eyes on Jesus, not the event.
Remember the Apostle Peter and how he walked on water "but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink." (Matthew 14:29-30)

It is clear from Scripture that freedom from fear is for the one who trusts in the Lord, abides in Him, loves Him, obeys Him, confesses Him to others, and loves others.

"The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
--- Deuteronomy 31:8

When we truly love God, we have no fear of man.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
--- 1 John 4:18

"In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?"
--Psalms 56:4

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
--2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."
--- Isaiah 12:2

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love but perfect love casts out fearbecause fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us. If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also." [my emphasis]
--1 John 4:11-21

And so, as we abide in Christ,
Love is perfected and casts out all fear.

And how does Jesus measure
our love toward Him?:

Jesus says, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."
---John 14:15

Jesus says,"He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who love Me;"
---John 14:21a

Jesus says,"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him."
--John 14:23

"This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us."
---1 John 3:23

When we place our full trust, belief, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we will not be afraid because the God keeps our soul secure.

When you have true faith in Jesus Christ, you will not even fear death.
"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
---Matthew 10:28

As children of the Most High God, we do not have to be afraid because God will deliver us: "Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord."
--Jeremiah 1:8

..because the battle is not ours:
The Lord says this to you: "Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's."
---2 Chronicles 20:15 NASB

..because God is with us: "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
--Isaiah 41:10

Courage "Have not I commanded you? "Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. "Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
--- Joshua 1:9

Throughout the Bible we are commanded to be courageous.
In the NASB and ESV versions of the Bible, the phrase "Be strong and courageous" is found 10 times. When God repeats Himself, it is important.

Courageous people feel fear, but they are able to manage and overcome their fear, allowing them to move beyond it. Courage is not the absence of fear.

Courage is a decision we make, in contrast to fear which is an emotion.
We have to decide to be courageous.

Being courageous is a choice.
We cannot be cowards.

In the end times, we have to rise to the occasion and find courage.
There is no other option.
The Bible links the cowardly with unbelieving, murderers,
sorcerers, and idolaters.

The Bible says that the cowardly
in the end times will go to the lake of fire!

"But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
--- Revelation 21:8

Self-Control Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Self-control helps us manage our emotions produced by fear.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;
--- Galatians 5:22-24

To have self-control, we must allow the Spirit of God to control us. We must live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit. The biblical norm for all believers is that they walk in the Spirit:
"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" --- Galatians 5:25.

In other words, the Spirit gave us life in the new birth (John 3:6), and we must continue to live, day by day, in the Spirit. (Romans 8:14)

To walk in the Spirit means that we yield to His control, we follow His lead, and we allow Him to exert His influence over us.
(from GotQuestions.org: "What does it mean to walk in the Spirit?")

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
--- 1 Peter 4:7

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
--- 2 Timothy 1:7

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. --- Proverbs 25:28

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. --- 1 Peter 5:8

Titus 2:2, Titus 2:6, Titus 2:11-12, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, 1 Timothy 3:2

In summation:
In these last days, there will be times of distress and anxiety, but the LORD will sustain us.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB

We MUST trust the LORD:
The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.
--- Proverbs 29:25 NKJV

When Elisha's servant saw the enemy all around him, he was afraid. But Elisha said: "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." --- 2 Kings 6:16

We too can say the same: "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
--- Romans 8:31
And also:
"Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."
--- 1 John 4:4

Courage is a decision

Pray for self-control, courage, and especially to love.

Finally, take comfort in simply believing what the LORD says, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
--- John 16:33

Bible Verses About Fear

Torrey's Topical Index

Unholy Fear:

A characteristic of the wicked Revelation 21:8.

Fear is described as:

A fear of idols. 2Kings 17:38.

A fear of man. 1Samuel 15:24; John 9:22.

A fear of judgments. Isaiah 2:19; Luke 21:26; Revelation 6:16,17.

A fear of future punishment. Hebrews 10:27.

Overwhelming. Exodus 15:16; Job 15:21,24.

Consuming. Psalms 73:19.

A guilty conscience leads to fear Genesis 3:8,10; Psalms 53:5; Proverbs 28:1.

Fear seizes the wicked Job 15:24; 18:11.

Fear surprises the hypocrite Isaiah 33:14,18.

The wicked judicially filled with fear Leviticus 26:16,17; Deuteronomy 28:65-67;

Jeremiah 49:5.

Fear shall be realized Proverbs 1:27; 10:24.

God mocks fear Proverbs 1:26.

Saints sometimes tempted to fear Psalms 55:5.

Saints delivered from fear Proverbs 1:33; Isaiah 14:3.

Trust in God, a preservative from fear Psalms 27:1.

Exhortations against Isaiah 8:12; John 14:27.

Exemplified:

Adam. Genesis 3:10.

Cain. Genesis 4:14.

Midianites. Judges 7:21,22.

Philistines. 1Samuel 14:15.

Saul. 1Samuel 28:5,20.

Adonijah’s guests. 1Kings 1:49.

Haman. Ester 7:6.

Ahaz. Isaiah 7:2.

Belshazzar. Daniel 5:6.

Pilate. John 19:8.

Felix. Acts 24:25.

Godly Fear [reverence]:

God is the object of Godly fear (reverence) Isaiah 8:13.

God is the author of Godly fear (reverence) Jeremiah 32:39,40.

Searching the Scriptures gives the understanding of Godly fear (reverence) Proverbs 2:3-5.

Godly fear (reverence)described as:

Hatred of evil. Proverbs 8:13.

Wisdom. Job 28:28; Psalms 111:10.

A treasure to saints. Proverbs 15:16; Isaiah 33:6.

A fountain of life. Proverbs 14:27.

Sanctifying. Psalms 19:9.

Filial and reverential. Hebrews 12:9,28.

Godly fear (reverence) commanded Deuteronomy 13:4; Psalms 22:23;

Ecclesiastes 12:13; 1Peter 2:17.

Motives to Godly fear: (reverence)

The holiness of God. Revelation 15:4.

The greatness of God. Deuteronomy 10:12,17.

The goodness of God. 1Samuel 12:24.

The forgiveness of God. Psalms 130:4.

Wondrous works of God. Joshua 4:23,24.

Judgments of God. Revelation 14:7.

Godly fear (reverence) a characteristic of saints Malachi 3:16.

Godly fear (reverence) should accompany the joy of saints Psalms 2:11.

Godly fear (reverence) necessary to:

The worship of God. Psalms 5:7; 89:7.

The service of God. Psalms 2:11; Hebrews 12:28.

Avoiding of sin. Exodus 20:20.

Righteous government. 2Samuel 23:3.

Impartial administration of justice. 2Chronicles 19:6-9.

Perfecting holiness. 2Corinthians 7:1.

Those who have Godly fear (reverence):

Afford pleasure to God. Psalms 147:11.

Are pitied by God. Psalms 103:13.

Are accepted of God. Acts 10:35.

Receive mercy from God. Psalms 103:11,17; Luke 1:50.

Are blessed. Psalms 112:1; 115:13.

Confide in God. Psalms 115:11; Proverbs 14:26.

Depart from evil. Proverbs 16:6.

Converse together of holy things. Malachi 3:16.

Godly fear (reverence) should not fear man. Isaiah 8:12,13;
Matthew 10:28.

Desires of Godly fear (reverence) fulfilled by God. Psalms 145:19.

Days of Godly fear (reverence) prolonged. Proverbs 10:27.

Godly fear (reverence) should be:

Prayed for. Psalms 86:11.

Exhibited in our callings. Colossians 3:22.

Exhibited in giving a reason for our hope. 1Peter 3:15.

Constantly maintained. Deuteronomy 14:23; Joshua 4:24; Pr 23:17.

Taught to others. Psalms 34:11.

Advantages of Godly fear (reverence) Proverbs 15:16; 19:23; Ecclesiastes 8:12,13.

The wicked destitute of Godly fear (reverence) Psalms 36:1; Proverbs 1:29;

Jeremiah 2:19; Romans 3:18.

Godly fear (reverence) exemplified:

Abraham. Genesis 22:12.

Joseph. Genesis 39:9; 42:18.

Obadiah. 1Kings 18:12.

Nehemiah. Nehemiah 5:15.

Job. Job 1:1,8.

Christians. Acts 9:31.

Cornelius. Acts 10:2.

Noah. Hebrews 11:7.

A Final Note on Facing Fear:

As believers, we must not let Satan’s weapons of lies and threats incite fear and undermine our faith in and our love for God and one another.
The world around us is full of all kinds of threats, dangers, and worries.

Yes, the devil is real, the threats and dangers are real—but our God is also real and He promises us victory if we will trust Him with all our hearts.

And just like the spies coming back from Canaan, with ten reports of threats for every two that encourage us with God’s promises, we have to be overcomers by enduring and trusting our Lord. (Numbers 13:25-33)

It is easy to become paralyzed by fear, instead of boldly moving out in faith, in trust, in love and in truth. Christians running and hiding, isolating, and being discouraged rather than focusing on Jesus and advancing His kingdom of love by ministering to each other and refusing the fear-messaging.

We must stand firm and not give in to the wickedness around us.
We must give our testimony of the gospel to those who are deceived and heading for eternal damnation.
"Who will stand up for me against evildoers? Who will take his stand for me against those who do wickedness?" --- Psalms 94:16

We must not focus on the threats, the dangers, and the worries that inflame our fears.
We must focus on our Mighty God, for He has promised us:
"fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish.

You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all.

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, Fear not, I am the one who helps you."
--- Isaiah 41:10–13

Overcoming Fear and Anxiety in the End Times

Love, Courage, and Self-Control

Overcoming Fear and Anxiety
in the End Times