
5 Steps To Overcome Fear
Fear is real and the enemy uses it to prevent you from fulfilling God’s purpose. Scripture says that fearful thoughts bring torment and I have experienced the reality of that statement in my life. I have also been freed from the destructive effects of fear, and you can too. These 5 steps will set you on the road to freedom from fear, through the Word of God.
1. Fear is Not From God
‘For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.’ 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Love is the language of God and fear is the language of the enemy. Unconditional love brings peace and fear is not God’s will for your life. His Word states over and over to ‘fear not’ because He is in control. He has given you a sound mind which means He gives you the ability to choose what goes in and stays in your mind. You can change from being a victim of fear to meditating on the love of God by an act of your will.
Take care not to feed your fear with the things you watch or listen to, but starve it by feeding on the Word of God. Trusting in His love and care for you will shut out fear and its effect on your life.
2. Fear is Not God’s Plan
‘There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.’ 1 John 4:18 NKJV
Fear was never God’s plan for your life, but He knew it would be part of this world. Jesus’ perfect love casts out fear and a solid understanding of His love for you can change fear to faith. The battle against fear cannot be won in your own strength, but it can be won.
Direct your focus away from the fear and onto God’s matchless love for you. When your focus is on the fear, it becomes harder to get free. Fear cannot exist where His perfect love abides.
3. Fear God and Fear Not
‘Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.’ Proverbs 28:14 ESV
‘Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.’ Proverbs 29:25 NLT
The fear of God is reverence, honor, holding Him in awe and a deep desire to bless Him. God does not want you to be afraid of Him and He does not punish you with fear. He does not punish you at all. He always has your best interests at heart so you never need to fear His direction in your life.
Trust in God and He will keep you safe from the unhealthy fear the enemy uses to prevent you from fulfilling your purpose.
4. The Battle of Fear is in Your Mind
‘And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.’ Romans 8:28 NKJV
‘We suffer much more in imagination than we suffer in reality’ -Seneca-
Fear is more real in your mind than it is in actual fact. Are you playing a movie of fearful situations in your mind? Are you meditating on ‘what if’ and ‘oh no’ or the worst case scenario? Fear is irrational and senseless because it is based around something that isn’t currently happening and may never happen.
God promises that even what is meant to harm you will be used for your good (Genesis 50:20). Trust cancels out the imaginings that feed on fear.
5. Take Fearful Thoughts Captive
‘Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,’ 2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV
You are not powerless against fearful thoughts, you are powerful through Jesus. You do not fight against flesh and blood and you do not fight fear on your own. God has made a way for you to throw thoughts of fear at the feet of Jesus and hold up the truth of His Word. Compare tormenting thoughts to the Word and choose to believe the TRUTH.
Nothing is impossible with God. You can exchange a negative thought for the light of truth and the peace of His Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to free you from the loop of fear-based thinking. You are not meant to live a life plagued by fear. Here is a simplified way to process your thoughts:
Fear is from the enemy
There is no truth in the enemy
Therefore there is no truth in fear
Does this thought bring fear?
It is not from the Lord
Exchange that thought for a promise in God’s Word
Agree with the Word and turn away from fear
What you agree with is what has power in your life.