The Folly of Fear

The Folly of Fear
Isaiah 41-45
“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.”

It is easy to fall into the trap of fear. As we look into the future, it appears uncertain and unknowable, and what we cannot perceive or control becomes a source of fear and anxiety. When we observe world events and the turmoil in our own country, it’s natural to feel apprehensive and fearful. But our fear isn’t only about the direction of our country; we also worry about what the future holds for ourselves and our families. Every day, we are reminded that we do not control the events of life or the circumstances we face. Each year, Chapman University conducts a survey of what Americans fear most. The top ten fears of 2025 are: 1. Corrupt government officials, 2. People I love becoming seriously ill, 3. Economic or financial collapse, 4. Cyberterrorism, 5. People I love dying, 6. U.S. involvement in another world war, 7. Pollution of drinking water, 8. Russia using nuclear weapons, 9. Pollution of oceans, rivers, and lakes, 10. Government tracking of personal data. These fears are not minor but threaten our very existence. When people become fearful, they often become angry, which explains why many are taking to the streets in violence.

Yet these fears are not new. In the time of Isaiah, the people were just as overwhelmed by fear. They feared the outbreak of war and invasions by the Assyrians or the Egyptians. They worried about the future safety of their families. Just as fear is spreading across our country, so too was it gripping the hearts of the people of Israel. However, fear does not come from circumstances themselves; it comes from our sense of powerlessness to change those circumstances. We are not afraid of the dark itself; we are afraid of the unknown threats that might be hidden within it. We don't fear what we can control; we fear what is beyond our control. So how can we find security and peace in a world filled with so much uncertainty and so many threats lurking in the darkness ahead?

In these chapters, Isaiah gives us the answer. We do not need to fear the unknown or the future because we know that there is one who controls these events. Life is not dictated by uncontrollable events that happen in the geopolitical world. Our future is not determined by chance. Instead, we are reminded that there is one who controls all events that happen in the world and in our personal lives. In 41:10, God reminds us that when we live under the umbrella of His sovereign care, we do not need to be gripped by fear because He is watching over us and controls all the events in the world and in our lives. When God is with us, threats become as “nothing and non-existent” (Isaiah 41:12). God never abandons His people. He is always watching over us. While God does not promise complete freedom from adversity and trials in life, He does promise that even when we face difficulties, He will be present and protect us so that they are not threats to our security or life in Him (43:2). In 43:4, He affirms that we are precious in His sight. He deeply cares for us. The reason we become gripped by fear is not because of the size of our problems but because of the size of our view of God. When we realize that the infinitely powerful God, the one who created the universe, is watching over us and walking hand in hand with us, then we can live without fear, for God is by our side. No matter what we face today or how uncertain the future may seem, we can have security and confidence because the creator of the universe, the one who possesses absolute authority and unlimited power, is walking alongside us.