Everyone faces fear. We deal with it on almost a daily basis. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been thinking and writing about how you overcome fear.

Recently, one of our subscribers submitted a reply to the question: what passages of Scripture help you confront and overcome your fear? He submitted two verses. Both were helpful.

I want to call your attention to the one that you may not know, but which deals directly with overcoming fear and living at peace. The passage is found in Isaiah 26:3.

Here are two translations:
“Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee” (Isaiah 26:3, Revised Standard Version).
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3, New International Version).

The context for this passage of Scripture is the larger section of Isaiah 24-27, an apocalyptic passage that describes a time of worldwide desolation which affects both the physical and social order (Isaiah 24:1-3). The section ends with a long passage of hope. Right in the middle of this long section of hope is Isaiah 26:3.

This is the idea: no matter what you experience in life, God is faithful. You can count on Him. Though the earth lies wasted and desolate with its surface twisted and its inhabitants scattered, you can live in perfect peace because God is your Lord.

Four areas stand out for me.

First, the Hebrew word for peace (Shalom) describes a wholeness or completeness in life. It does not simply mean that we all call a truce. Peace in God’s terms means that our lives are full and complete. In this sense, peace is what you say when you go through a reception line at a wedding and wish the bride and groom “all the good things of life.” God promises perfect peace for those who rest in Him.

Since the Hebrew language doesn’t have an espression to describe “perfect peace,” it simply states “peace, peace”–a beautiful way to describe God’s overwhelming peace which is available to all who trust in Him.

Second, peace is all about God not you. We are at peace when we trust in God and stay connected with Him. This is God’s work, not yours. Living at peace is not breathing techniques (though they may help); it is trust in God.

Third, we should keep our mind on God. A mind settled on God helps us receive what God can give. It is imperative that we keep our mind on God and that we constantly “renew” our minds. http://waylonbailey.com/2011/07/why-you-must-renew-your-mind/

Fourth, we have hope as long as we have God.

In the midst of the storms of life, God gives peace. Those whose mind is steadfastly set on God, experience the overwhelming peace of God.