Overcoming Fear: From the Jersey Shore to the Pulpit

By Mark Bogdol

Introduction: If You’d Told Me Then...

If you had told me years ago that one day I’d be standing in front of a church delivering a message about fear, I would have laughed and walked away. I wasn’t raised in church. I’m from New Jersey, and our summers were spent on the shore—Seaside Heights, steak and peppers on the grill, the smell of onions (which I hated) filling the air. We were Catholic by tradition, but not churchgoers. We went for weddings, maybe a baptism, and that was about it.

But God had other plans. And today, I want to talk to you about something He’s been laying heavy on my heart: fear.

What Is Fear, Really?

Fear is everywhere. It’s used in politics, media, medicine, relationships—every part of our lives. We’re constantly bombarded with “you better do this or else” messaging. Fear is a tool, and unfortunately, it's often used to control.

Did you know there are over 500 documented phobias? That’s not even counting the everyday anxieties people live with. Whether it’s fear of failure, rejection, loss, or even fear of public speaking (hello, that’s me!), we all wrestle with it in one form or another.

But here’s what I’ve learned: fear can either paralyze you or push you closer to God.

Fear in the Bible: A Complex Truth

Fear is mentioned hundreds of times in the Bible. Some sources say about 350 times; others say “fear not” appears 366 times—one for each day of the year, including leap year. Think about that. A daily reminder from God not to be afraid.

But then you come across verses like this one, and it makes you pause:

“But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.” — Exodus 4:21

I struggled with that one. Why would God harden Pharaoh’s heart? Why bring suffering? But as I prayed and studied, I realized—God didn’t harden Pharaoh’s heart against his will. Pharaoh’s disbelief and rejection of God did that. He chose pride over submission. It wasn’t about fear—it was about belief.

So What Does It Mean to “Fear the Lord”?

This was my biggest question. How do you fear someone who loves you? Someone who protects you? Why would God want us to fear Him?

I finally came to understand: fear of the Lord isn’t about terror. It’s about reverence. It’s about understanding the weight of His holiness and the consequences of our actions.

The first appearance of fear in the Bible goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden:

“I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” — Genesis 3:10

Fear entered the world the moment sin did. Sin and fear are connected because with sin comes consequence. And we fear the consequence. But fearing God—in the right way—keeps us humble. It reminds us who He is and what He’s capable of.

Abraham’s Fear Was His Faith

Take Abraham for example. God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, the very son He had promised. I can only imagine what Abraham and Sarah must have felt. But Abraham obeyed. That’s what fearing the Lord looks like—faith that trusts even when it doesn’t understand.

And in the end, God provided a ram.

“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” He said. “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” — Genesis 22:12

Fear Not—Believe

Then Jesus enters the picture, and suddenly the tone shifts:

“Be not afraid, only believe.” — Mark 5:36

Jesus came preaching the Kingdom and saying, "Fear not." He didn’t erase fear—He redefined it. He showed us how to walk in love, in power, and in peace. He made it clear that fear and faith can’t live in the same heart.

A Testimony of No Fear

I heard a story on the radio of a man battling cancer. When asked if he was afraid, he said:

“Either I beat cancer and praise God here on earth, or I go home to be with Him. Either way—I win.”

That hit me hard. That’s the kind of faith I want. That’s the kind of trust that casts out fear. Like the Bible says:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7

The Real Reason to Fear

If you’re going to fear anything, let it be this:

“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” — Matthew 10:28

Jesus said that. And He said it with love, not malice. Because He wants us to understand that our souls are eternal. And who we trust—who we believe—matters more than anything else.

Final Thoughts: From Fear to Faith

I’m not a preacher by trade. I’m a technician. I analyze, I fix, I troubleshoot. But I couldn’t ignore the voice of God asking me to speak on this. It’s not comfortable, but it’s necessary.

Fear is real, but so is Jesus. And when we believe in Him, we don’t have to live afraid. We can walk in confidence, in peace, in freedom.

So whatever fear you're facing today—loss, rejection, illness, failure—I challenge you: bring it to God. Not because you won’t feel afraid, but because He will meet you in it. He will carry you through it.

Remember what Jesus said: "Be not afraid—only believe."