Kentucky is an 11-year-old penguin who is scared to stick even one toe in the water. Experts say his phobia developed because he has “molting issues,” which is zookeeper lingo for losing your feathers too easily. As it turns out, having fewer feathers means more goosebumps and a greater sensitivity to cold water!

Gideon was afraid to get his feet wet when it came to liberating his people from an enemy nation. Unfortunately, his phobia of the Midianites caused him to focus on everything but the One who could help him.

Gideon was secretly threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress when the angel of the Lord dropped by and declared, “The Lord is with you!” (Judges 6:12). Our nervous hero refused to concentrate on God’s presence, insisting that God had abandoned Israel. What a shame! Pondering God’s nearness can relieve our anxiety.

The angel tried again, saying, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel” (v.14). Gideon’s terror made him obsess over his inadequacies, which can happen to us too. “My clan is the weakest . . . I am the least in my entire family!” (v.15), he whimpered.The angel persisted, so Gideon demanded proof that his marching orders were truly from God. At this point, the angel revealed the supernatural power of God, and Gideon yelled, “I’m doomed! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!” (v.22).

He then contracted a healthy case of godly goosebumps, dismissing his daunting circumstances and refocusing his fear on the One who is worthy of our “reverent fear” (Psalm 2:11).

Training ourselves to revere God is the key to overcoming fear. Whatever it is that creeps you out—evil people, the water, or worse—remember, “The fear of the Lord will be your treasure” (Isaiah 33:6).