One of the biggest challenges to anyone living in a world dominated by fear is preventing it from becoming a debilitating influence. News broadcasts eagerly tell us about the latest “doomsday reports,” refugees fleeing from widespread violence and civil war, and unstable countries flexing their muscles with nuclear warheads. Some people wonder if the end of the world is at hand, and those who aren’t grounded in what the Bible says about this can panic. But studying God’s Word gives us an eternal perspective, and it’s overwhelmingly good.

If we’re unfamiliar with what God says concerning us, the future can look scary. But He’s the very essence of love, and He offers us encouragement. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV). God said this to His people during a time when they were exiled, when many were afraid and unsure of their future. God’s promise was true then, and it’s just as true now.

Today’s media is quite efficient and precise when it comes to transmitting bad news across the world in a split second, but it’s totally clueless as to how this news affects the human spirit. The perception that evil is advancing onward and will overtake us can be unsettling. God knows exactly what we’re feeling and thinking, and He has some specific promises on this. “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you” (Psalm 91:5-7, NKJV). He won’t let evil touch those who trust Him!

What we’re witnessing now is something Jesus Himself prophesied would happen. The Bible tells us that when we see evil and wickedness intensifying at an alarming level, it is to be expected. We have His reassurance that we need not be afraid. “You will continually hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end [of the age]. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 24:6, 7, AMP).

What we constantly think about has a way of manifesting itself in our life, for good or bad. If we study the Word and meditate on it long enough, it will change us for good in a powerful way. We’ll be able to face the fears that shut down others, taking authority over each one. “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19). This is a radical concept many can’t comprehend, but it works every time for those who accept this promise by faith.

No matter what it looks like, sounds like, or seems like, we can boldly move forward in confidence when we believe what the Bible tells us. By deeply studying God’s Word, we learn that He is more powerful than fear. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:18, 19). Walk in love!