Human Response 240: Discouragement and Fear

Deuteronomy 1:28-29 Whither shall we go up? Our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we are; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover, we have seen the sons of the Anakims there. Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.

Moses recounts the experience of the evil report of the ten spies from 40 years earlier. Their negative reporting discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, so that they became afraid. The consequence of this fear response was the 40 years of wandering.

Negative talking can discourage us so much that we become fearful and immobilized. We often do not even realize what damage is done to the heart by negativity, gossip, criticism, and complaining. It harms our own hearts, as well as the hearts of those who hear it. It takes our eyes off of the great and good God, who delivered us once, continues to be present, and will save us again. When we lose sight of the cross, we begin to see only the giant problems that are before us. That view brings us down and makes us afraid in various ways.

Therefore, Moses says, “Dread not.” The angel says, “Fear not.” Jesus says, “Worry not.” Paul says, “Be anxious for nothing.” These are the encouraging words we need to pay attention to. When we look to Jesus instead of the Problem, we become encouraged, emboldened, lifted up, confident, and full of faith. That is God’s promise and our believing response.