STUDY

ARTICLE 1

Conquer Fear by
Trusting in Jehovah
SONG 38 OUR YEARTEXT FOR 2024:
He Will Make You Strong “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”—PS. 56:3.

FOCUS EVERYONE feels afraid at times. Of course, our study of

Learn how we can the Bible has freed us from fear of the dead, fear of the
strengthen our trust in supernatural, and fear of the future. But we still live in a
Jehovah and overcome time that is marked by “fearful sights,” such as war,
our fears. crime, and disease. (Luke 21:11) We may also fear men,
including governments that oppress us or even family
members who oppose true worship. Some worry that
they will not be able to endure either a current trial or
one that they may face in the future.
2 David experienced fear. For instance, when King Saul

was trying to hunt him down, David decided to flee to

the Philistine city of Gath. The king of Gath, Achish,
soon learned that David was the mighty warrior who was
celebrated in song as having struck down “tens of thou-
sands” of Philistines. David “became very much afraid.”
(1 Sam. 21:10-12) He worried about what Achish would
do to him. How did David conquer his fears?
3 In Psalm 56, David expresses his feelings while he was

in Gath. That psalm lays bare David’s fears, but it also re-
veals how he conquered those fears. When he felt afraid,
David trusted in Jehovah. (Read Psalm 56:1-3, 11.) His
1. Why might we feel afraid at times?
2. Describe David’s situation while he was in Gath.
3. According to Psalm 56:1-3, 11, how did David conquer his fears?

2
David strengthened his trust in Jehovah by focusing on
what He had done, was doing, and would yet do
(See paragraphs 5, 8, 12)
trust was not misplaced. With Jehovah’s
blessing, David devised an unusual but
effective strategy: He pretended to be
crazy! Achish now viewed David more as
an irritant than a threat, so David was
able to escape.—1 Sam. 21:13–22:1.
4 We too can conquer fear by trusting
in Jehovah. But how do we strengthen
our trust in Jehovah, especially when
we are afraid? Consider an illustration.
If you learn that you have an illness,
you may at first feel afraid. However,
you can ease your fears if you trust
your doctor. He may have an outstand-
ing record of treating patients with that
illness. He may listen attentively, con-
vincing you that he really understands
your feelings. And he may propose a
treatment that has worked well for oth-
ers. Similarly, we strengthen our trust
in Jehovah by considering what he has
already done, what he is doing now,
4. How can we strengthen our trust in Jehovah? Il-
lustrate.
and what he will yet do for us. That is
what David did. As we consider some of
his inspired words found in Psalm 56,
think about how you too can strengthen
your trust in Jehovah and conquer your
fears.
WHAT HAS JEHOVAH ALREADY DONE?
While David’s life was still at risk,
5
he focused his attention on what Je-
hovah had already done. (Read Psalm
56:12, 13.) That was David’s pattern of
thinking throughout his life. For exam-
ple, at times he meditated on Jehovah’s
creative works, which reminded him of
Jehovah’s almighty power and keen in-
terest in humankind. (Ps. 65:6-9) Da-
vid also meditated on what Jehovah had
done for others. (Ps. 31:19; 37:25, 26)
And he especially meditated on what Je-
hovah had already done for him person-
ally. Jehovah had supported and pro-
tected David from infancy. (Ps. 22:9, 10)
5. To conquer his fears, on what did David reflect?
(Psalm 56:12, 13)
JANUARY 2024 3
 Imagine how such meditation must have
bolstered David’s trust in Jehovah!
6 When you feel afraid, ask yourself,
‘What has Jehovah already done?’ Re-
flect on what he has created. For ex-
ample, when we “observe intently” how
Jehovah cares for the birds and the
flowers—which were not created in his
image and are not capable of worship-
ping him—we will build up our trust that
he will care for us too. (Matt. 6:25-32)
Consider also what Jehovah has done
for his worshippers. You might study a
Bible character who showed outstanding
faith, or you might read the experience
of a modern-day servant of Jehovah.1
Additionally, meditate on how Jehovah
has already cared for you. How did he
draw you to the truth? (John 6:44) How
has he answered your prayers? (1 John
5:14) How are you benefiting every day
from the sacrifice of his beloved Son?
—Eph. 1:7; Heb. 4:14-16.
7 Vanessa,2 a sister in Haiti, faced a
frightening situation. A man in her com-
munity called her and sent her messages
every day, pressuring her to have a re-
lationship with him. Vanessa flatly re-
fused. But the man became more ag-
gressive and even threatened her. “I was
scared,” she says. How did Vanessa con-
1 You can find faith-strengthening information on jw.org
by typing “imitate their faith” or “experiences” in the
search bar. In the JW Library˙ app, look under the arti-
cle series “Imitate Their Faith” or “Life Stories of Jeho-
vah’s Witnesses.”
2 Some names have been changed.
6. When we feel afraid, what will help us to trust in
Jehovah?
7. How did the experience of the prophet Daniel
help Vanessa to conquer her fear?
4 THE WATCHTOWER
quer her fear? She took practical steps
to protect herself. An elder helped her
to contact the authorities. But she also
focused on how Jehovah had protected
his servants in the past. “The first per-
son I thought of was the prophet Dan-
iel,” Vanessa relates. “He was thrown
into a den with hungry lions even though
he was innocent. Yet, Jehovah cared for
him. I asked Jehovah to take charge of
the whole situation. After that, I wasn’t
afraid anymore.”—Dan. 6:12-22.
WHAT IS JEHOVAH DOING NOW?
8 Though David was in mortal dan-
ger when he was in Gath, he refused to
give in to his fears. Instead, he chose
to consider what Jehovah was doing
for him at that time. David could sense
that Jehovah was guiding and protect-
ing him and that He understood his feel-
ings. (Read Psalm 56:8.) David also
had friends, such as Jonathan and High
Priest Ahimelech, who gave him loyal
support and practical help. (1 Sam. 20:
41, 42; 21:6, 8, 9) And despite being a
target of King Saul, David escaped with
his life. He was convinced that Jeho-
vah was keenly aware of his trial and of
how that trial was affecting him emo-
tionally.
9 When you face a trial that makes
you afraid, remember that Jehovah
takes note of the trial and of how that
trial makes you feel. For example, Jeho-
vah noticed not only the mistreatment
of the Israelites in Egypt but also “the
pains they [suffered].” (Ex. 3:7) David
8. Of what was David convinced? (Psalm 56:8)
9. What does Jehovah observe about each one
of us?
We strengthen our trust in Jehovah by focusing on
what he has done, is doing, and will yet do
(See paragraphs 6, 9-10, 13-14)
sang that Jehovah saw both his “afflic-
tion” and his “deep distress.” (Ps. 31:7)
And when God’s people suffered—even
as a result of their own foolish deci-
sions—“it was distressing to him.” (Isa.
63:9) When you are afraid, Jehovah un-
derstands how you feel and he is eager
to help you conquer your fears.
10 You may wonder, though, how Je-
hovah is supporting you while you face
a frightening trial. So ask him to help
you to see his support. (2 Ki. 6:15-17)
Then consider: Has a talk or a comment
at a congregation meeting strengthened
you? Has a publication, a video, or
an original song encouraged you? Has
someone shared a reassuring thought or
scripture with you? We might easily take
for granted our loving brotherhood and
the spiritual food we receive. Yet, they
are extraordinary gifts from Jehovah.
(Isa. 65:13; Mark 10:29, 30) They prove
10. Why are you convinced that Jehovah notices
you and that he will help you to cope with any trial?
that he cares about you. (Isa. 49:14-16)
And they prove that he is worthy of your
trust.
11 Aida, who lives in Senegal, took note
of how Jehovah supported her during a
trial. Since she is the eldest child, her
parents expected her to make enough
money to care for both herself and
them. But after she simplified her life
in order to pioneer, Aida struggled fi-
nancially. Her family now resented her
and criticized her. “I was afraid that I
would not be able to help my parents
and that everyone would reject me,” she
says. “I even blamed Jehovah for let-
ting things get so bad.” Then she heard
a talk at a meeting. “The speaker re-
minded us that whatever the wounds of
our heart, Jehovah knows them. Little
by little, through advice from the elders
and others, I was reassured of Jehovah’s
love. I began to pray to Jehovah with re-
newed confidence, and I felt a profound
11. What helped Aida to overcome her fears?
JANUARY 2024 5
 peace as I saw my prayers answered.”
In time, Aida found employment that
helped her not only to support herself
as a pioneer but also to give financial
aid to her parents and others. “I have
learned to trust in Jehovah completely,”
she says. “Now, after I pray, my fears of-
ten vanish.”
WHAT WILL JEHOVAH YET DO?
12 Read Psalm 56:9. This verse re-
veals another way that David conquered
his fears. Even though his life was still in
jeopardy, he meditated on what Jehovah
would yet do for him. David knew that
Jehovah would rescue him at the right
time. After all, Jehovah had declared
that David would be the next king of Is-
rael. (1 Sam. 16:1, 13) To David, what-
ever Jehovah promised was as good as
fulfilled.
13 What has Jehovah promised to do
for you? We do not expect him to shield
us from all problems.1 Still, whatever
trials you may face in this system of
things, Jehovah will do away with them
in the coming new world. (Isa. 25:7-9)
Our Creator is surely strong enough to
raise the dead, to heal us, and to remove
all opposers.—1 John 4:4.
14 When you feel afraid, meditate on
what Jehovah will do in the future.
Think about how you will feel when Sa-
tan is gone, when wicked people are re-
1 See the book Draw Close to Jehovah, chap. 7, pars.
13-22.
12. According to Psalm 56:9, of what was David
confident?
13. What confidence can we have in Jehovah?
14. What might we meditate on?
6 THE WATCHTOWER
placed by righteous people, and when
imperfection fades away a little more
each day. A demonstration on the 2014
regional convention program depicted
how we might meditate on our hope.
A father discussed with his family how
2 Timothy 3:1-5 might be worded dif-
ferently if those verses foretold what it
would be like in Paradise: “In the new
world the happiest of times will be here.
For men will be lovers of others, lovers
of spiritual treasures, modest, humble,
praisers of God, obedient to parents,
thankful, loyal, having great affection
for their families, open to agreement,
always speaking well of others, self-
controlled, mild, lovers of goodness,
trustworthy, yielding, lowly in mind,
lovers of God rather than lovers of plea-
sures, motivated by genuine godly devo-
tion; and to these people stick closely.”
Do you discuss with your family or fel-
low believers what life will be like in the
new world?
15 A sister in North Macedonia named
Tanja conquered her fears by meditat-
ing on future blessings. Her parents
strongly opposed her study of the Bi-
ble. She relates: “Some of the things
that I feared would happen did happen.
My mother beat me after every meet-
ing. My parents threatened to kill me
if I became one of Jehovah’s Witness-
es.” Finally, Tanja was thrown out of her
home. How did she react? She says: “I
focused on how happy I would be for all
eternity for choosing to keep my integ-
rity. I also thought about how Jehovah
15. Although Tanja felt afraid, what helped her to
conquer her fears?
 would reward me in the new world for
anything I might lose in this system and
how all bad things would be forgotten.”
Tanja did keep her integrity. And with
Jehovah’s help, she found a place to
live. Today, Tanja is married to a faith-
ful brother and they serve happily to-
gether in the full-time ministry.
STRENGTHEN YOUR TRUST TODAY
16During the great tribulation, peo-
ple in general will become “faint out
of fear.” But God’s people will remain
steadfast and courageous. (Read Luke
21:26-28.) Why will we not give in
to fear? Because we will have already
learned to trust in Jehovah. Tanja, quot-
ed earlier, says that her past experiences
are helping her to face other unsettling
situations. “I have learned that there is
no situation that Jehovah cannot work
out for our good,” she observes. “Some-
times it may seem that others are con-
trolling things, but the reality is that
they have only as much control as Jeho-
vah allows. And though a trial may be
hard, it will end.”
16. What will help us to remain courageous when
we see the events prophesied at Luke 21:26-28?
HOW CAN YOU CONQUER FEAR BY REFLECTING ON . . .
˛ what Jehovah has already ˛ what Jehovah is doing now?
done?
Fear is normal today. But like David,
17
we can refuse to be trapped by fear. Our
2024 yeartext is David’s prayer to Jeho-
vah: “When I am afraid, I put my trust
in you.” (Ps. 56:3) As one Bible refer-
ence work stated about this verse, David
“neither feeds his fear nor stares at his
problems but looks to his Redeemer who
will deliver him.” Think about our year-
text in the coming months, especially
when you are facing frightening situa-
tions. Take time to reflect on Jehovah’s
actions in the past, present, and future.
Then, like David, you can declare: “In
God I put my trust; I am not afraid.”
—Ps. 56:4.
17. How will our 2024 yeartext help us? (See cov-
er picture.)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PICTURE DESCRIPTIONS Cover: In the midst of a
disaster, a sister reflects on the yeartext. Page 3:
David reflected on how Jehovah had empowered
him to strike down a bear, was giving him practical
help by means of Ahimelech, and would yet make
him king. Page 5: A brother imprisoned for his
faith reflects on how Jehovah helped him quit
smoking, is encouraging him through letters from
loved ones, and will yet grant him eternal life in
Paradise.
˛ what Jehovah will yet do?
SONG 33
Throw Your Burden on Jehovah