Note 1 at Lk. 8:50: Fear and faith are opposing forces. Fear is actually faith in reverse. Fear is believing something or someone other than God. Therefore, fear makes us subject to Satan and his death (2 Tim. 1:7; Heb. 2:15) just as faith makes us recipients of all that God has to offer (Jn. 3:16). This is the reason Jesus told Jairus, "Fear not." Jairus' fear would have sealed his daughter's death (Heb. 2:15).

We can also see that Jairus had a part to play in this miracle. God does "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" (Eph. 3:20). Jesus needed the positive power of faith working in Jairus and not the negative force of fear (see note 4 at Jn. 5:8, p. 97; see note 2 at Lk. 7:13, p. 116).

It is possible to have both faith and fear working in our hearts at the same time. This is the reason Jesus said "believe only" (v. 50), and the scripture admonishes us not to be double-minded or to waiver (Jas. 1:5-7). Fear will negate faith (see note 3 at Mt. 17:20, p. 211).