In this world filled with violence, wars, and injustices, our hearts can become deeply troubled, and our faith severely tested as we approach the coming of our Lord. Jesus, seeing the troubled hearts of His disciples in John 14, addressed their agitation and fear, urging them not to let their hearts be troubled. This destructive fear, which stirs inward commotion and disturbs calmness of mind, can separate us from God, causing us to distrust and desert Him whom we ought to trust and obey, as seen in the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13 where some lack root in Jesus Christ and are quickly offended. God has not called us to destructive fear but to courage, repeatedly telling us over 80 times in Scripture to fear not. In II Timothy 1:7, we are reminded that God has not given us a spirit of fear or timidity, but of power, love, and a sound mind, which holds our fears in check and grants us courage. Destructive fear coupled with unbelief can lead us to turn away from following Jesus Christ, risking our place among the firstfruits, as warned in Matthew 24 where love grows cold due to fear and lack of endurance. Two elements deliver us from this destructive fear: faith and love. Faith, trusting and believing in God and in Jesus Christ as the way, the truth, and the life, counters the uncertainty and lack of spiritual understanding that weakens us, as seen with the disciples who struggled with Christ's impending death. Psalm 56:3 acknowledges that fear will strike, but we must turn to God in faith, trusting that He is with us, never leaving us, and that the trials we face are for our good and future in His Kingdom. Love, the second element, is highlighted in I John 4:18, where perfect love casts out destructive fear that causes agitation and discouragement. This godly love, stronger than the forces of the world, equips us to overcome fear. Jesus' new commandment in John 13 and 15 to love one another as He loved us, sacrificially and uniquely, reinforces this love as essential for believers. With faith and love, trusting in God and filled with His perfect love, we are equipped to overcome destructive fear, enduring trials that test our faith and love toward Him and each other.

Fear plays a significant role in the human condition due to satan's influence on the world. Even without extreme phobias, most of us grapple with fears, insecurities, and anxieties that evoke reactions within us. These fears can limit our behaviors and decisions, just as irrational fears limit actions in a negative way. Spiritually, fear inhibits overcoming, which is vital for inheriting all things as God promises to those who overcome. Fears such as concern over others' opinions, terror of strangers, or anxiety about losing control can restrict our usefulness to God. They may prevent us from reaching out, making an effective witness, or doing the right things. Fears of personal change, sacrifice, or self-examination can also hinder our spiritual growth. When fear overshadows our fear of God, it becomes a form of idolatry, replacing Him in our lives.