Three Reminders if You Struggle with the Fear of Man

I discovered blogging in 2010 when I was a teenager, and as the girl who carried a book everywhere and scratched story ideas on napkins in restaurants, I couldn’t imagine a better hobby. So I spent the years since then learning about blogging, SEO, and design. When I doubted I could ever write anything worth reading, I’d wrestle through doctrines, study the Bible, and journal for countless hours. I’ve taken courses, listened to podcasts, read books, explored other blogs, made list after list and written rough drafts of several posts. But I’d never actually hit “publish.” 

The truth is, I thought if I could research enough to know the answer to every question, and be able to execute this blog so perfectly no one would scoff at my efforts, then I would be qualified. Then I wouldn’t worry about what everyone else thought because it would be fail-proof.

The Year that Changed Everything.

But 2020 happened. We all remember that as the year the world stopped, and everything basically fell apart. While the toilet paper and housing markets were booming, family members stopped speaking to each other over medical decisions and politics.

I realized then that people could find data to back up whatever they thought, no matter how wrong they were. They would still deny anything but their own opinions and destroy other people’s lives in the process. It was not a matter of if you would be hated, but when. Jesus Himself told us this, and while I won’t equate 21st century America to the persecution the church has experienced throughout history, the principle is the same. If we stand in Christ, the world will oppose us any way they can.

What is the fear of man?

The fear of man is allowing the desire for approval of others to control us. If someone would have told me that’s what I was struggling with, I would have likely denied it. But I started paying attention to the fact that most of the time, I was not speaking up, allowing other priorities to distract me from doing what the Lord had convicted me of, and avoiding conflict, all because I didn’t want other people to be unhappy with me. I could disguise it in many ways. “Oh, I don’t want to provoke disunity!” or, “they need to feel welcomed.” Both of these things are true, but if I attempt to accomplish them in a way that is not love and truth, then it doesn’t do any good.

In the Bible, there’s one verse with the phrase “fear of man,” and it’s Proverbs 29:25: “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.” Ultimately, allowing the fear of man to control me in any measure did nothing but trap and suffocate me. But trusting the Lord brings safety, for there is a security stronger than human attempts to grasp at power.

So I had a choice to make. Do I start a blog and risk public failure and opposition? You’re reading this on the internet right now, so you can tell what my decision was. As I walk this path with shaky steps, here’s three truths I’m clinging to.

1. Jesus determines my salvation, no one else.

My salvation is dependent only on God.  In accordance with the Father’s plan, I am justified by faith through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and I am sealed by the Holy Spirit. No one – not satan himself or even other Christians – can pluck me from the palm of His hand. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28) That brings great confidence and peace to my soul as I continue to learn and grow.

2. Only seek the approval of God.

Galatians 1:10 has been going through my mind for several months now: “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” This verse stops me in my tracks every time I read it. How could I allow the fear of man to paralyze me when I am in Christ? He has given me everything I need to obey Him.

3. The same Holy Spirit that equipped Christian heroes is with me.

Don’t get me wrong when I say that – I am not considering myself on the same level of Gladys Alwaryd, Corrie ten Boom, or Aquila’s wife Priscilla. But cowering in a corner out of fear of failure does not honor God. If He asks me to wash the dishes with love, I should do it. If He asks me to write, I should do it. He is with me, just as He is with you. “That according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being.” (Ephesians 3:16)

Overcoming the Fear of Man

As with almost everything, wrestling through this fear takes practice. So many times, a rogue thought will creep into my mind. (“But what will they think?”) Each time, as quickly as possible, I take that thought to the throne of God in prayer. Often, He fills my mind with these reminders and Bible verses. I recall that I’ve experienced the peace and courage of God in the past, and that knowledge encourages me to keep walking in obedience.

I’d love to hear from you! Do one of these tools stand out to you?

With grit and grace,

Whitney