All men struggle with fear. It’s an emotion as natural as hunger or exhaustion, yet many of us have been conditioned to conceal it—which is why it’s a must for my list of 70 things every man needs to know.
Fear is “the feeling that something bad will happen, whether real or imagined.” But does feeling fear make a man weak? Not at all. Fear is a normal human response, and in many cases, it’s beneficial. It can heighten our awareness, sharpen our reactions, and even save our lives—like when a car abruptly swerves into our lane.
The Difference Between Fear and a Spirit of Fear
What’s not normal is living with a “spirit” of fear. There’s a vast difference between experiencing fear and being controlled by it. The Bible makes this distinction clear:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7, NLT).
So, what kind of spirit has God given us? The spirit of adoption. “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship [adoption]” (Romans 8:15). Sons trust their fathers—especially when their Father is perfect.
Fear and Courage Can Coexist
Even in moments of extraordinary courage, fear still exists. Courage is not the absence of fear; rather, it is acting in faith despite fear. Faith leads to courage, and courage conquers fear. When Jesus walked on water, the disciples were terrified. He reassured them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. . . . You of little faith . . . Why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:27, 31).
The key to overcoming fear isn’t simply developing more courage—it’s deepening our faith. Faith is the confidence that everything will work out in the end, because God is sovereignly in control. Courage is the state of mind that faith produces, enabling us to face difficulties with confidence and resolution.
Fear Is Always About the Future
If you think about it, all fear is oriented toward the future. We fear what we don’t know, what we can’t predict, or what might go wrong. Yet, Ecclesiastes 7:14 reminds us, “A man cannot discover anything about his future.” Since we can’t know what will happen, worrying about it only drains us. The better approach? Trust God with the unknown and focus on what He has called us to do today. Scriptures guides, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe” (Proverbs 29:25).
Finding Peace in Troubled Times
The antidote to fear and anxiety is Scripture and prayer. The Bible teaches us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7). If you struggle with fear, this is a great verse to memorize and lean on in times of trouble.
For decades I’ve referred to a quote from John Wesley that always bolsters my courage. I hope it will bolster yours too:
“Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but God, hate nothing but sin and are determined to know nothing except Christ and Him crucified, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen, such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth.”
Reflection and Discussion Questions
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- What fears are currently weighing on your mind, and how can you apply faith to overcome them?
- In what ways have you seen courage and fear coexist in your own life or in the lives of others?
- How can prayer and Scripture help you shift from a spirit of fear to a spirit of trust and confidence in God?
Patrick Morley, driven by his search for meaning and a deeper relationship with God, started a small Bible study in a bar in 1986. It grew into a global ministry, Man in the Mirror, impacting thousands of churches and millions of men. Inspired by these studies, he wrote The Man in the Mirror, named one of the 100 most influential books of the 20th century. A leading authority on men’s issues, he has authored 22 books and over 750 articles, with his works translated worldwide. Patrick holds degrees from the University of Central Florida, Harvard Business School, Oxford University, and Reformed Theological Seminary. He and his wife live in Winter Park, Florida, with their family. Patrick’s latest ministry for men can be found at the Patrick Morley website.
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Truly, there is nothing to fear but fear itself.
Your friend -His servant,
Isaac Otieno