By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
The best way to eliminate fear is to remove it from our physical, mental, and spiritual world. An alliance with terror is no way to live. Spending time with fear is fiend-ship. Nothing good comes from teaming up with an enemy and falling captive to its paralyzing chains.
Fear is an emotion that shows no favoritism, affecting the weak and strong, the rich and poor. Its gripping tentacles dig deep into our emotions to ensure it’s a formidable enemy, but those who choose godly friendships have an opportunity to rid their lives of real and psychological terror.
Isaiah 41:10 ESV, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Fear doesn’t have to make sense; it’s present and dangerous. The emotion is not necessarily negative, but an intuitive means of protecting us from threat of harm. Those threats can be physical, emotional, spiritual, or psychological, and the resulting sensations alert us to possible danger.
Whether a fear is genuine or imagined, the emotion affects us and requires coping skills. The anxiety and pressure can cause us to do whatever is necessary to avoid the triggered reaction and response. Faith, backstory, culture, education, upbringing, and a host of other factors make each fear unique. We can feel alone and ashamed or hide from others to avoid ridicule. The presumed danger is real. Fear manifests itself in paralysis, shock, seeking safety, fleeing, and/or fighting.
Respecting the outcome of a fear doesn’t make us any less a believer in Jesus Christ. Those who respect a healthy fear show wisdom in avoiding—running into a burning building, playing golf in an electrical storm, handling a loaded gun, swimming in shark-infested water, and the list goes on. Motivation fuels the choice to fight or flee. Sometimes it takes more courage to run from a harmful situation than to stay and fight.
Fear is natural and our body’s way of warning us from danger. Healthy fears keep us from making critical mistakes and avoiding danger.
- Don’t touch a stove’s hot burner.
- Don’t step into traffic without looking both ways.
- Don’t walk barefoot where poisonous snakes roam.
A phobia is an unhealthy fear of objects or circumstances that cause an unnatural reaction or out-of-proportion anxiety. The victim may suffer from various physical symptoms that damage the body physically and mentally. Some victims experience panic attacks.
- Fear of heights.
- Fear of flying.
- Fear of crowds.
To overcome a fear or phobia, we need to name it, then seek out why it plagues us and where the problem originated. Did the issue begin when we were a child? Or have life experiences conditioned us to behave in an unhealthy manner?
God wants us to live a life of peace by giving our fears to Him. We can do our part by surrounding ourselves with godly friends who can love and help us be emotionally healthy.
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
What are 10 ways we can move closer to God and leave fear behind?
- Pray for God to show us an understanding of our fear(s) and the best way to explore healing.
- Pray for God to place the right people in our life to walk this journey.
- Pray for a positive attitude.
- Journal daily and include challenges and victories.
- Journal prayers for specific requests and praises.
- Understand breaking the chains of fear will take hard work and time.
- Seeking godly counseling may be necessary.
- Confide in a close friend(s) of your determination to eliminate the fear and request accountability.
- Focus outside yourself as in volunteer work, tutoring, or mentoring.
- Prepare to help someone else who may be victimized by a fear.
Godly relationships help us see the reality of faulty thinking and how we may be affected physically, mentally, and spiritually if not dealt with properly.
Have you walked through the nightmare of an out-of-control fear? Is now the time to begin a healing plan that lines up with God’s Word?
Comments 23
I was talking with someone today who is struggling with anxiety and fear of being alone. Fear can be so crippling when we don’t trust God’s plan for our lives. Thank you for this perspective on fear and faith.
Thanks, Pamela, fear of being alone is real and paralyzing. I hope your friends seeks a Christian counselor who can help him/her walk through the fire.
Great, and Spirit lead ideas. I willwork on my own fears, while I seek to help others.
Frances, that is all we can do. We work on our fears with God’s help, and use our strengths to help others. Thanks for always showing wisdom.
So times Jesus begin a conversation with the words, “Fear not.” When he is for us, who can be against us? Great message, DiAnn!
Sending prayers and thoughts your way.
Author
Thanks, Tim. Fears can be a formidable enemy – but we have a mighty God.
Great tips to apply God’s word to our lives and combat this enemy.
Author
Thanks, Barbara. Like you, I often write a post with what is nudging at me.
DiAnn,
I had to smile while reading your post on fear—because the timing was uncanny. I was literally driving to my self-made writer’s retreat in Galveston (finally determined to finish Cocoagingins and Snoples and Munchies, Oh My!) when I felt that old familiar anxiety creeping in as I approached the ship channel bridge. Heights have always been a struggle for me, but in that moment I simply said, “Not today.”
And guess what scripture I quoted aloud?
Yep—2 Timothy 1:7.
Only I went full NKJV on it: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 😄
Your post felt like a little confirmation from above. Thank you for the reminder that godly relationships and God’s Word are powerful weapons against fear.
-Tripp
Author
Tripp, thank you so much for your kind words. And congratulations on seeing your book to completion! Let me know your progress!
The future can be scary, but we have to wrap both hands around God and keep trekking.
I’ve experienced anxiety about being able to do my work. I was on leave. It took a long while (with EMDR therapy, Bible study, getting outside and walking, being around friends) to emerge and exercise courage. But I am thankful to be back at work for a month now. Thanks for your post! There are some good pointers.
Author
Adriane, you are a brave woman. I don’t know anyone else who would have the courage to talk about walking through fire. God’s got this, and He has you in the palm of His hand.
Yes! I love this post! Just finished reading Dr. Caroline Leaf’s book, “Switch on Your Brain” which blends so well with this post!
Author
Julie, I need to read that book! How are you, sweet friend? Think about you often.
Julie, that is a book!
DiAnn , thank you for sharing this and the practical steps to help us get past the fears we face. There is something in the list anyone can use.
Oops, meant to say a great book!
Author
Thanks, Karen! I appreciate your kind words.
Well said DiAnn !!!
Thank you
Author
Thank you for taking the time to read it!
Dear DiAnn,
Your message came on the perfect day. I have been struggling with the fear of my husband’s early cognitive decline. I have been worrying (fear actually) about what lies ahead. Thank you for this reminder that God is in control.
Author
Donna, I understand exactly what you are going through – perhaps I wrote it for myself too. God is in control!
Fear can definitely eat you alive. We must stand firm because Christ is our fortress whether mentally, spiritually, or emotionally
A friend posted this song, Fear Not Tomorrow”when she was going through cancer. It has helped me so many ways to cling to the Lord and face whatever fear I’m going through.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOHDeJgh6lw
I hope the link works!
Author
Barbara, thank you so much for the timely song. Nothing ever surprises God, and I must keep telling myself that truth.