Fear Not

District Diaries April 2026 Edition
by Marvin Penner

Let’s think a little bit about motivations. We all know that the same thing done with different motivation is a different thing. For example, imagine one of your children or grandchildren grabbing your back pocket while you both laugh and run after a beach ball at the lake. Now imagine a threating teen you don’t know grabbing your back pocket in a dark alley. Very different right?

The universal human experience of fear is created by the second scenario, but the Bible encourages us towards trust, courage and peace rather than fear. “Do not fear, for I am with you … I will strengthen you and help you.” This verse from Isaiah (41:10) does not deny life’s dangers, but encourages confidence in God’s character, His promises, and His saving work through Jesus Christ. If God is truly with us, then fear loses its power and love becomes possible.

When you dig down all fear is rooted in our greatest enemies – sin, death, and separation from God. Yet through His death Christ destroyed the one who holds the power of death and freed those who were held in slavery by the fear of death (Heb. 2:14-15). This means that fear is not just an emotional struggle, it is a spiritual issue tied to what we believe about God’s sovereignty and salvation. 1 John 4:18 states, “Perfect love casts out fear.” God’s love, demonstrated supremely through the cross, assures us that we are fully accepted and secure in Him. Fear often arises from uncertainty, judgment, or loss, but God’s love addresses each of these concerns. In Christ, we are no longer under condemnation (Rom. 8:1), and nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:38–39). This security provides a foundation for living from a motivation of love rather than fear.  2 Tim 1:7 reminds us that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” The indwelling Spirit enables us to have the courage to love. This is not self-generated bravery, but a supernatural strength that enables us to face trials with confidence in God’s faithfulness rather than being fearful. We are called to live from the heart of love. God is love (1 John 4:8). Jesus demonstrates the love of God by first loving us (1 John 4:10). The greatest commandment is to love God and our neighbor (Mark 12:28-31).

But what does all this mean in real life? Take for example discipline, either self discipline or the discipline of others. Do you do it because of the fear of looking undisciplined or out of love for God and others? What about your health? Do you seek better health for fear of death or to be better able to love God and others? Taking the same actions from a different motivational core makes a big difference.
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“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)