Recently, I made the choice to downgrade my satellite package and jump on the Netflix bandwagon. Even though the movie selection isn’t the greatest, there are some good series to watch, and my kids absolutely love it. One of their favorite series is Goosebumps. They love being scared by garden gnomes, mutant monsters, and dummies that suddenly come to life.

There’s just one problem. No matter how many times I tell them that Slappy isn’t real, there’s no such thing as monsters, and garden gnomes don’t suddenly come to life, the kids still find their way into my bed at night.

To them it doesn’t matter if the monsters are real. All that matters is that the fear is real. And the interesting thing about fear is that we never seem to outgrow it; we just learn to fear new things.

We no longer fear ghosts, we fear committees. We no longer fear vampires, we fear the people who suck the life out of us every Sunday. We no longer fear the dark, we fear what may be brought into the light.

At the root of it all is our greatest fear, failure. We’re afraid we’re going to screw something up, we’re going to be found out, we’re not going to have what it takes.

I believe that’s why God spends so much time telling us not to fear in the scriptures.

“I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. Genesis 26:24

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman. Ruth 3:11

Say to those who are fearful-hearted,“ Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” Isaiah 35:4

For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ Isaiah 41:13

“But do not fear, O My servant Jacob, And do not be dismayed, O Israel! For behold, I will save you from afar, Jeremiah 46:27

And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” Daniel 10:19

Fear not, O land; Be glad and rejoice, For the Lord has done marvelous things! Joel 2:21

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Matthew 10:28

And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” Luke 5:10

Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. Revelation 1:17

Without God we have every reason to be afraid, but with God we have nothing to be afraid of.

Stop living your life in fear, and start living the life God has called you to. For He is with you, and together you’re unstoppable.

What are you most afraid of? How have you overcome your fears? I’d love to hear your story, so make sure to leave a comment below.