How can we counter fear?

In speaking of Jacob’s ladder — through which Jacob enjoyed the open heavens and fellowship with heavenly beings — we must not forget that Jacob suffered from fear. He was utterly isolated; there was no father, mother, brother, or friend to accompany him or support him. On his way, fleeing his brother’s violence, he was in great danger, looking forward to an uncertain future. Jacob lay his head on the stone, a symbol of the Lord Christ, to sleep and he was granted a heavenly vision. He was gripped by the fear of God and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” (Gen. 28:17).

When we suffer from bodily fear or worldly fear which destroy the soul, we lean on Christ our cornerstone, who replaces our destructive fear with holy fear. Instead of our fear of the world with all its harsh circumstances, we see God’s glory, holiness, and love, so we carry ourselves reverently and realize that we abide in the house of God and have become “members of the household of God” (Eph. 2:19). Just as we resist an evil passion with a holy passion, so we also resist deadly fear with holy fear.