Fear: What You Can Do About It (Part 2)

overcoming fear biblically

Starting now, let’s begin to dismantle the stronghold that fear has on your life.  There’s no better time to begin.  This is the second part in my series on fear.  Find the first one here.

I like what Max Lucado wrote in his book, “Fearless”.  He said, “Feed your fears and your faith will starve.  Feed your faith, and your fears will.”

“How do we feed our fears?” you might ask.  It all starts with the things we tell ourselves.

Related: When Anger Takes Over

How can I train my mind to overcome fear?

“What if…” is the phrase that starts nearly every thought in our minds as we contemplate the circumstances that surround us.  Almost immediately, we decide that there is no way that anything good will ever happen.  Nothing will work out as it should.  We stop believing that“all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

We tell ourselves that the problems we face are too big and too complex for God to handle, all the while forgetting that he said, “I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?”  (Jeremiah 32:27)  Never in all of history has God ever not been able to accomplish what He has set out to do.

We listen to the voices that align with our doubts. Surrounding us are others who have the same fears and view the mountains before us as too difficult to climb.  Turning back from the challenge is much easier than walking into the raging storm as it whips around us.  Satan, who is our enemy and not our friend, tells us that God is not big enough, or capable enough, to calm the storm let alone get us through it.

We convince ourselves that through our fears we can somehow influence the outcome.  It’s the illusion that we can control what happens in the future, whether tomorrow or a year from now.  When we stop and ponder this we can only come to the conclusion that our assumption is baseless and false.

“Beloved, I say, let your fears go, lest they make you fainthearted.  Stop inspiring fear in those around you and now take your stand in faith.  God has been good and He will continue to manifest His goodness.  Let us approach these days expecting to see the goodness of the Lord manifest.  Let us be strong and of good courage, for the Lord will fight for us if we stand in faith.” 

Francis Frangipane

Related: What on Earth is God Doing?

We must begin starving those fears and begin feeding our faith – faith in our Heavenly Father. Let’s begin again to believe what He said.

• “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14:27
  

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• “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
  

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• “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Matthew 6:34
  

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• “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:6-7
  

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• “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.  Isaiah 41:10, 13
  

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Once we’ve taken that step, it is imperative for us to begin filling our minds with thoughts and truths that feed our faith. The Apostle Paul urges us to do the following:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.”  Philippians 4:8, 9

When we begin feeding our faith, our fears begin to starve.  As we nourish our faith with the truth from God’s Word those fears that once loomed over us start to whither and die.  They no longer have power over us.  Our vision is no longer impaired.  And then we find it much easier to just focus on today.

As we concentrate on the positive, virtually all negativity fades away.   And now, when circumstances that would normally shake us to our core – or at least cause our fears to revive – we are able to see them through God’s eyes. We realize that there is nothing too hard for Him to handle.

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“How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear!  It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear.” John Newton

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I have found that one thing that soothes my soul is listening to Christian music.  Songs that include snippets of God’s Word are especially comforting – and motivating.  And when I hear the name of Jesus sung, what it does to my soul!  The words linger in my mind as I go throughout my day and I find that I smile more and worry less.

Related: Why Prayer is Vital to Christian Living

Once our perspective has changed, then we can echo with confidence the following proclamations:

Scriptures on overcoming fear

• When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?  Psalm 56:3-4
  

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• For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
  

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• The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 118:6
  

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• The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?  Psalm 27:1
  

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• For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
  

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• I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
  

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God seems larger than life now, doesn’t He?  That’s because He is!  He is all-knowing and all-powerful.  Isn’t that what we need?  He is all we need!

I hope you let Him drive your fears away and permit Him to take control.  He loves you. It’s an amazing kind of love. His love is complete.  Give your Heavenly Father a chance to do what he does best: set you free.

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