It's been said that the phrase "do not fear" comes up in the Bible 365 times. That's once for every day of the year. Now, I haven't checked the validity of that, but I can say the idea of laying aside fear is a recurring theme in scripture.
I do wonder, though, if we misunderstand what that means. Having had many conversations with people who struggle with fear, I'll affirm that there are many appropriate times to be fearful.
That said, listen to the strong sense of confidence behind what the psalmist asks: Whom shall I fear? At the same time, notice that the writer acknowledges evildoers, adversaries, foes, and armies. It's not helpful to shrug off the struggles, pain, or situations that might fall on us.
But you also don't have to wallow in them.
So, yes, the psalmist will be confident, but I'm not sure that means fearlessness. The psalmist isn't showing off some false bravado. Rather, he's tapping into another important theme in the Bible: Trust.
If I trust God, I can be confident. Whatever fearful thing is in front of me, I can learn to see it in the light of God's power. Such an acknowledgement isn't denying the danger or struggle ahead, but it does offer a deeper grounding within it. 
Psalm 27, at least, doesn't promise fear will disappear. It stands on the promise that fear doesn't have to lead. The psalmist names the threats and then chooses to have confidence that "the Lord is my light and my salvation."
Let that be an invitation for you today to name the fear that has been taking up the most space in your mind. Don't minimize it or act like it doesn't matter. But don't let it dominate! As you place it before God, practice trust in God by doing one small thing. Pause to pray parts of Psalm 27. As you do, let trust, not fear, guide your next step.
Stay blessed...john | 
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