Don’t Fear

Apr 02, 2025

Fear is the mind-killer

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Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
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So, I’m a big ol’ sci-fi & fantasy nerd.

So when thinking about this verse, I couldn’t help but bring up this famous quote from Dune:

“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.”

Fear is one of those basic human emotions that permeates all of us.

Sometimes, fear is a good thing. Keeping us out of dangerous situations that could lead to injury or worse. But often fear paralyzes us from doing good things.

This is a false fear.

I find it usually comes around when I worry that the thing I should do might bring embarrassment or shame. Like failing to accomplish my goal would be embarrassing.

So what do you do with fear?

Cast it upon God.

Walking around in fear is a burden. It saps your energy and keeps you from doing the things you know you ought to do. And, often, it feels like too big a burden to carry.

Maybe it is too big.

But God is so much bigger.

Like that old Veggie Tales song: “God is bigger than the boogey-man. He’s bigger than godzilla or the monsters on TV.”

Okay … maybe you’re too grown-up for those fears.

But I’m certain we both face fears week in and week out that kill our minds, sap our energy, and prevent us from good work.

Why not rely on God’s strength to overcome fear instead of trying to manifest more of your own strength?

Food for thought …

— Ricky Ketchum

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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