God knows that we will during the course of our life be faced with times or seasons of fear. No matter the source of the fear my response needs to be the same. Quick note: This is one of those behaviors that require some work beforehand, in this case remembering that God clearly teaches that I don't have to face any challenge alone, and that not only will He be with us, but that He will equip us in those moments with the following gifts. "He has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7, NLT).
But if you're like me, that is easier said than done. How do we put these truths into action versus being overwhelmed with fear, anxiety, and maybe even panic? My first response is to recall the following truth: " . . . Listen to the Lord who created you. . . . ‘Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1, NLT). So my first response is to refocus my thoughts on the reality of God's love and presence which will allow me to start working through the four steps below:
Step 1: The Bible instructs us to “[not] worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done” (Philippians 4:6, NLT). So we are taught not to worry or fear, but instead we are to pray. This first step is simply to call out to God, which has the effect of not only activating the power of God in my situation, but will also serve to remind me of His power, and His presence in my situation as well. When I call out to God for help He promises to grant us peace that only He can provide in our moment of fear. “ . . . You will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7, NLT).
When we offer up our worries through prayer, God will lead us into a deeper experience of His loving care and help us overcome the fears we face.
Step 2: Have you ever told anyone to “calm down”? Or, has anyone ever said that to you in the midst of your struggles? Reflect on those situations. Was that statement helpful? Typically, it doesn’t go over too well with most people when faced with the fear that is causing this behavior. But stay with me, “calming down” is exactly what I am encouraging you to do! Be still. Slow down. Allow yourself to be calm, not just in the heat of a fearful moment, but as a way of life.
This verse is a good response when your heart is racing and your mind is being besieged, “Be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10, NLT)
Note: These responses work best, of course, when you have spent the time and effort in working through these steps in moments of peace and committing to memory the verses we are highlighting during each step. Have trouble remembering these steps? May I suggest printing them out and reading them over throughout your week, trusting God to bring them to mind in your time of need. Just like most skills, we need to meditate on these responses so that we can apply it effectively when fear arises.
We live in a fast-paced world where relaxation is neglected. The enemy recognizes the impact that this culture has upon our habits and behaviors. I strongly urge you to find a window in your schedule each day (even if it’s only a few minutes), a quiet place, and a comfortable spot to relax and read these promises.
Which brings us to our next step . . .
Step 3: Overcoming fear God's way, by focusing on what is true.
On its own, the word "focus" not only can feel insensitive but sometimes can also lack meaning. When someone (or something) demands our focus, they rarely give direction on how to focus or what to focus on. But God is very clear on this topic!
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable” (Philippians 4:8, NLT).
Dwell. Concentrate. Think intentionally. These ideas all align with the word “focus.” Now, think about what thoughts are present when fear creeps in: do they fall under the listing of any of the categories in Philippians 4? Most of the time, the answer is probably going to be “no.”
So, shift your focus. It’s not enough to try to stop thinking about our worries; we need to replace those thoughts with something new. That is why it's helpful to keep a running list of good things to ponder—things that motivate you, that are true, and that bring joy! Remembering these things will help you overcome fear God’s way.
Which brings us to our final step . . .
Step 4: Seek Community.
While we all need time to get away and just breathe (see “Be Still” above!), we were not meant to journey through life alone. God urges us to “not neglect our meeting together” (Hebrews 10:25, NLT), but to “encourage each other and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NLT).
Solid, nurturing relationships that will encourage and support us are vital because “if one person falls, the other can reach out and help” (Ecclesiastes 4:10, NLT). We are communal beings who need each other every day, especially when fear threatens to take over.
In closing, some of these suggestions will come more naturally than others, and honestly all of them can be easily neglected. We must practice these daily!
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9, NLT).
I hope you will find these truths from God's Word helpful the next time you are faced with fear and worry that threatens to paralyze you or drive you into despair. Remember that God is with you, He loves and cares for you, and He is actively fighting for us in all of our challenging circumstances.
