Fear is the state you’re in as a result of being afraid. Being courageous is what you do in that state.

Therefore, the opposite of being in a state of fear isn’t being courageous, but being at peace!

The great news for Christians is that peace is something we already have the moment we believe the gospel. And it is in Whom and with Whom we have peace that gives us the courage (God’s Grace) we need to make it through the most difficult and darkest times in our lives.

Therefore, having been justified (just as you never sinned) by faith (believing the gospel), we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

Romans 5:1

Fear is the biggest obstacle that holds believers back. Believers struggle with fear no differently than the unsaved world. We fear failure, rejection, being embarrassed, or disappointing or angering other people.

Fear is the state you’re in as the result of being afraid. The simple illustration below will help clarify “fear.”.

When you’re afraid, you are in a state of fear, like in the moments just before you’re called up to give a speech in front of a crowd of people. You’re in your seat, trembling to rehearse in your mind over and over the reasons you’re afraid, trying to justify that fear…

Your name is called, and you immediately stand and walk to the podium and begin. That’s courage. You’re still trembling; it’s evident in your voice, but you keep pushing forward despite the fear!

Fear is the state you’re in. Being Courageous is how you act in that state.

We ‘Were’ Enemies with God

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:7-8

Before a person enters into the knowledge of salvation, we are enemies of God, separated by sin with no relationship with the Creator God. We were ungodly. In Ephesians 2:1-3, the apostle Paul makes it graphically clear what our status was before our salvation.

And you He made alive, who were (before we believed) dead (lost, without God and hell bound) in trespasses and sins, in which you once (not now because of your faith) walked according to the course of this world (ungodly), according to the prince of the power of the air (prior to our salvation we were in Satan’s domain), the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we (Paul is speaking to believers, the apostle Paul always writes to believers never to unbelievers), (and here it is, how we ALL were living prior to salvation) all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature (Adamic Nature) children of wrath (prior to salvation we were ALL diametrically opposed to everything God and the gospel), just as the others.

 

Ephesians 2:1-3

But Now…We Have Peace Because of the Cross

Romans 5:1c

….we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

In other words, because of our hearing the gospel and believing by faith alone that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was resurrected three days later, all this was done on our behalf. In our place to pay the price for our sins, we are now reconciled to God and have peace with God (2 Corinthians 5:18–19).

Because of Faith in the Gospel, We Have Peace With God – ‘We Now Have Access to the Source of All the Courage We Will Ever Need’

God’s Grace

It’s crucial to understand that because we are at peace with God, we have access to the source of all the courage we will ever need, which is the power of God’s grace appropriated by faith through our relationship with God the Son, Jesus Christ.

‘through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ‘

Romans 5:2

It Comes Down to Our Faith

One of the hardest things to do as a believer is to have faith that God is working in our lives and to not be afraid when trials and tribulations come our way. Finding the courage to get through tough situations is hard enough already, but when we feel that God isn’t there, fear becomes overwhelming!

What to do?

Always go back to His word and believe what God says: “What Saith the Scripture?”

Because our God is faithful even when we’re not.

Ultimately, we can overcome all persecution, trials, and tribulation with no fear because of Christ’s victory over the world at the cross.

Smile beloved and be full of joy because we have peace with the God of Glory!

John 16:33

‘These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”’

II Timothy 2:13

‘If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.’

II Corinthians 12:9

‘And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ‘

Mark 4:39-40

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Romans 8:28

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Isaiah 43:1

“Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.”

Courage is not the opposite of fear. The opposite of fear is peace. For believers we have peace with God because of our faith in the gospel.