Fear is real. Maybe you fear the unknown, a future responsibility, something you can’t control, failure…or, maybe I just made you think of a new fear after reading these ones. The point is…remember God’s in control—you’re not. Second Timothy 1:7 says, God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. NOT of fear. If you can crush fear, then your family’s stress/anxiety/worry o’ meter decreases. Fear levels in your home start with you. If you can live these three truths you’ll crush fear. #1 God overcomes fear. In God there’s power/love/discipline. These are marks of a believer. Whatever fear you have, don’t let it stop you from serving God. Faith, like a muscle, seems to grow through exercise. #2 God is always with you. Fight fear with God’s promises. He protects and strengthens you. Know God’s Word; it’ll guide you to be disciplined and diligent. All this can sound weird until your teenager asks you a spiritual question from outta the blue. #3 God calls you to action. His Word guides you. His Word may reveal that you need more restraint related to your family. God can transform your mind/heart/thoughts and actions. Be disciplined in not saying hurtful things to your wife and kids today. Be bold in giving encouragement and kindness to your wife and kids. This is what’s required TODAY.

How Did Jesus Make Disciples? Discipleship is the heart of following Jesus. Being a disciple means committing to a life that reflects Christ’s love, wisdom, and truth. Jesus didn’t just teach His disciples; He invited them into an active relationship, modeling what true discipleship looks like. Through instruction, observation, correction, and hands-on application, He prepared them for a world-changing mission. As husbands and dads, we can follow this same pattern with our families and communities. Discipleship is an ongoing process, one that begins with knowing Jesus personally and sharing His message through both words and actions every day.

Don’t Bench Yourself With Fear: As guys, we often pride ourselves in being fearless. We never want to appear weak or unsure of ourselves. But the truth is, we all wrestle with fear to some degree. It’s a universal affliction that’s impossible to escape, especially on our own. That’s where God comes in. Through His Word, he commands us to “fear not” and reminds us that we can face the things we dread in a godly, biblical way. Then, once we get a handle on those fears, we can teach our kids how to overcome their anxieties. But, as we’ll learn in this episode based on Kent’s book “Don’t Bench Yourself,” it all starts with us.

“You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” — Marcus Aurelius

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt

“Fear can keep us up all night long, but faith makes one fine pillow.” — Philip Gulley

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” — King David

Fear making you angry? If your kids often see an angry dad, it’s time to resist the anger urge. When you lash out, you create uncertainty in your home and diminish your example as a wise/solid/faithful father. Reminder: you don’t have to voice every thought. Practice discipline and selflessness by holding your tongue. While fear may feel dominant, God calls us to a love that casts out fear. Next time you correct your child, focus on instilling love instead of fear. This’ll strengthen your relationship and set a godly example for your kids. Let me know how it goes.

Kent Evans
Author of Don’t Bench Yourself, co-founder of Manhood Journey

P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.

Forward this to a dad you know who needs some encouragement.