Our responses to the Horseshoe Bay Mega Bug couldn’t have been more different. And to apply this idea to life as a follower of Jesus, believers and nonbelievers should respond to fear in different ways, too. God pointed this out to me in Daniel 1. When you hear the name Daniel, you probably first think about a lion’s den. That’s where my mind immediately goes! We love that story about how God protected Daniel when he was thrown in with lions unprotected—except, of course, by God. 

But if you back it up a bit, Daniel 1 sets the stage and provides some background information. Babylon had conquered Judah, and King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, began making moves. One of his first actions was to select some of the best and brightest Israelite youth to study, train and develop under his careful supervision. They would eat at the king’s table and study with his teachers for three years, and then they would enter the king’s service. Daniel was one of the young men selected. 

Throughout the 12 chapters of Daniel, we read about time after time when he stayed faithful to God, even when it was risky. But for now, let’s just zoom in on one instance, when Daniel’s faith in God prompted a response that emphatically set him apart from the unbelieving King Nebechudnezzar. 

In Daniel 2, we read that Nebuchadnezzar had dreams that troubled him greatly. He summoned his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to help, but he wanted them to prove their wisdom and power by not only interpreting the dreams, but also by telling him what the dreams were in the first place. They responded: 

“What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans.” -Daniel 2:11

This made Nebuchadnezzar so furious that he ordered the execution of all wise men in the kingdom. We can read between the lines and imply that he was afraid of what his dreams meant, don’t you think? The unknown is scary, especially when you’re in a position of power. So let’s break down how King Nebuchadnezzar responded when faced with fear…

• He panicked and called together every wise person he knew.
• He acted irrationally, demanding that they tell him what he had dreamed (without him providing any information).  
• He turned destructive. When they couldn’t perform up to par, he got angry and ordered them killed. 

Now Daniel, on the other hand, was also facing a fearful situation! Why? Well, remember, he was being groomed as one of the king’s wise men/servants! So when the king ordered all wise men of Babylon be put to death, that included Daniel and his friends. Daniel, a young man of faith, responded quite differently…

• He humbled himself, recognizing his need for help, and asked the king for some time so he could interpret the dreams.
• He gathered with fellow believers to pray and ask God for mercy. 
• He depended on God completely for the help he needed.
• He praised God and acknowledged His power and supremacy. 

Wow, what a stark difference. Nebuchednezzar and Daniel were both facing fears, but they handled things in polar opposite ways. As a believer in Christ, your response to fear should be drastically different from the fear response of a nonbeliever. You don’t need to panic, and you don’t need to get irrational or destructive. With God as your firm foundation, you can go directly to Him when you’re afraid. You can humbly recognize your lack of control, lean on Christian community and pray. 

Most importantly, your dependence on God should be on display for the world to see. HE IS GOD! You are not. He is all-powerful and all-knowing. He is mighty and able to defend, protect and act on your behalf when you’re facing scary circumstances.

Of course, you know God came through for Daniel. God protected him and provided exactly what he needed. God revealed Nebuchadnezzar’s dream to Daniel, and Daniel was able to describe and interpret it for the king. What happened next can happen in your life, too, as you shine your light in the darkness by demonstrating a godly response to fear. 

Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.” Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men.  -Daniel 2:46-48

King Nebuchadnezzar recognized God as the supreme authority and power. Which one of your friends and family members might begin to see God for who He is—if only you model humble, faithful dependence on Him in your time of need? Don’t fall into the world’s traps. The world tells you to scream, yell, panic, explode, lash out, act irrationally, hurt, destroy and explode. God tells you that He is in control. Stay calm, stay humble, lean on your brothers and sisters in Christ, go to God in prayer, and depend on Him for every little thing you need. Fear not! The mighty King of the universe is on your side. 

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. -Psalm 56:3