When fear gets loud, name the Holy One

Isaiah is not telling frightened people to stop feeling afraid. He is telling them to move their fear. Do not fear what they fear - fear him instead, and the dread that was crushing you becomes a sanctuary.
Peter picks this passage up and does something remarkable with it. The Greek of Isaiah 8:13 says, sanctify the Lord himself, and he himself will be your fear. Peter writes, sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Beale's observation: Peter appears to be identifying Christ with the God of Israel in Isaiah 8. The one you are told to fear instead of the conspiracy is Jesus.
Scripture links:
- Isaiah 8:12-13 - "Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy... But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread."
- Isaiah 8:14 - "And he will become a sanctuary" - The one you fear rightly becomes the place you are safe.
- 1 Peter 3:15 - Peter applies the same words to Christ.
Fear is not the problem. Fear pointed at the wrong thing is.