Fear is a powerful force. It can paralyze us, keep us from stepping into God’s best, and rob us of peace. But Jesus gives us a simple, yet profound antidote to fear: faith. In Mark 5:36, Jesus tells Jairus, whose daughter has just died, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.” In that moment of deep despair, Jesus invites Jairus to trust Him beyond what his eyes can see.
The Nature of Fear
Fear often creeps into our lives when circumstances seem out of control. It whispers worst-case scenarios and magnifies our insecurities. It tells us that we are alone, that things won’t work out, and that we are not strong enough.
Yet, throughout Scripture, we see that fear is never from God. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” When we recognize that fear is not from Him, we can choose to reject it and replace it with faith.
What Faith Does
Faith is not ignoring reality or pretending challenges don’t exist. It is choosing to trust God in the middle of those challenges. Faith shifts our focus from the problem to the Problem-Solver. Just as Jesus called Jairus to believe in the face of death, He calls us to trust Him in the face of uncertainty, pain, and fear.
Here are a few ways faith helps us conquer fear:
- Faith Reminds Us Who God Is – Fear makes us forget God’s power, but faith brings His promises back into view. When the Israelites faced the Red Sea, fear told them they were trapped, but faith (through Moses) reminded them that God makes a way where there is no way (Exodus 14:13-14).
- Faith Gives Us Peace – When we trust that God is in control, we no longer have to live in anxiety. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us that when we pray with thanksgiving, God’s peace guards our hearts and minds.
- Faith Empowers Us to Move Forward – Fear makes us shrink back, but faith propels us into action. Peter walked on water when his eyes were on Jesus, but when he focused on the storm, he began to sink (Matthew 14:29-30). Faith keeps us moving forward despite the waves.
Living a Faith-Filled Life
How do we develop the kind of faith that overcomes fear?
- Stay in the Word – Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Fill your heart and mind with God’s promises.
- Pray with Confidence – Bring your fears to God in prayer, trusting that He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
- Surround Yourself with Faith-Filled People – Community strengthens our faith. Spend time with people who encourage you to trust God.
- Take Small Steps of Faith – The more we exercise faith, the stronger it grows. Start trusting God in small ways, and watch your confidence in Him increase.
Final Thoughts
Jesus’ words in Mark 5:36 are not just for Jairus—they are for us. Whatever fear you are facing today, Jesus is saying the same thing: Don’t be afraid. Just have faith. God is bigger than your circumstances, stronger than your fears, and always faithful to His promises. When fear knocks, let faith answer the door.
