When Fear Warps Our Reality

We all know the feeling. That coat draped over a chair becomes a menacing figure in the dark. The small spider on the bathroom wall transforms into a life-threatening monster. Fear has a way of distorting our perception, making things appear bigger, scarier, and more threatening than they actually are.

A heavy metal band called Our Last Night says the acronym F-E-A-R stands for “false evidence appearing real.” That’s exactly what fear does—it warps our reality and makes us act irrationally.

But some of our biggest fears aren’t external at all. They’re not about spiders, snakes, or heights. Sometimes our most paralyzing fears are internal—fears about ourselves.

Moses and the Burning Bush

When God called Moses to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 3-4), Moses didn’t respond with enthusiastic obedience. Instead, he offered excuse after excuse. And here’s the truth: behind every excuse is a fear.

Moses had spent 40 years as Egyptian royalty, followed by 40 years as a shepherd in obscurity. Now God was calling him back. But Moses was terrified, and his fears manifested as five distinct excuses:

Excuse #1: “Who am I?” (Exodus 3:11)

The Fear: I’m nobody. I’m not special, famous, or powerful.

God’s Truth: “I will certainly be with you” (v. 12). It’s not about who you are—it’s about who God is and His presence with you.

Excuse #2: “What if they ask Your name?” (Exodus 3:13)

The Fear: I don’t know enough.

God’s Truth: “I AM WHO I AM” (v. 14). God will make Himself known. It’s not about what you know—it’s about God knowing you and making Himself known through you.

Excuse #3: “What if they don’t believe me?” (Exodus 4:1)

The Fear: They’ll reject me. What if everything goes wrong?

God’s Truth: Let them. But give them a chance. You can’t control how others respond—that’s on them. Stop catastrophizing and take the step.

Excuse #4: “I’m not eloquent” (Exodus 4:10)

The Fear: I’m not good enough. I don’t have the skills.

God’s Truth: “Who placed the mouth on humans? I will help you speak and teach you what to say” (vv. 11-12). God made you exactly as you are, and He will equip you for whatever He calls you to do.

Excuse #5: “Please send someone else” (Exodus 4:13)

The Fear: Someone else is better suited for this.

God’s Truth: You have a team. It’s not all on you. God rarely sends anyone on a solo mission—and you’re never alone.

The Fears That Hold Us Back Today

These same fears plague us:

  • The fear of irrelevance or obscurity
  • The fear of incompetence or ignorance
  • The fear of rejection and failure
  • The fear of being exposed or letting others down
  • The fear of comparison and competition

How many of us struggle with imposter syndrome? How often do we think, “I could never teach a class—I don’t know enough” or “I can’t invite my friend to church—they’ll just reject me”?

Truth Over Fear

The antidote to fear isn’t mustering up our own courage. It’s rooting ourselves firmly in God’s truth:

  • When you feel like nobody: Psalm 139 reminds us we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Jesus promised, “I will be with you, even to the end of the age.”
  • When you don’t know enough: The blind man Jesus healed simply said, “I was blind and now I see” (John 9). You may not have all the answers, but you can tell your story.
  • When you fear rejection: Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). And nothing can separate you from God’s love (Romans 8).
  • When you feel inadequate: God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). When you are weak, then you are strong.
  • When you think someone else is better: Esther’s cousin asked, “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). God put you where you are because you can do something no one else can.

The Choice Before You

Stepping out in faith is scary. It requires courage. But that courage doesn’t come from within—it comes from God.

Over 100 times in Scripture, God commands His people: “Do not be afraid.” Why? Because fear distorts reality and holds us back from becoming who God created us to be.

Your insecurities don’t surprise God. He made you just the way you are. He simply wants you to listen to His voice more than the negative voice inside your head.

So the question is: Will you let fear’s lies hold you back, or will you let God’s truth propel you forward into the mission He’s established specifically for you?

When I am weak, then I am strong.