Overcoming Fear

A couple of weeks ago, I witnessed someone overcoming a fear - A fear that over the last few years had developed into a phobia. It is not my place to say what the fear was, but it was with God's help that she finally overcame something that had become so difficult for her to do. She stepped out and faced her fear with God's help. This person was given these words from God: "breath in Jesus's love, joy and peace and breath out fear, anxiety and stress". This is what she did. God took control and allowed her to overcome a fear that was holding her back.

It made me think about all the fears and worries that we all have. Fear can be healthy. It can help prevent us from putting ourselves in danger. Yet fear can become a driving factor in our lives, if it is allowed to grow. All our fears are different and can encompass a magnitude of thoughts from what if I fail, what if I can't afford to pay the bills this month, health fears, and a whole host of other fears that can seem insurmountable. Fear can control how we feel and how we respond to certain situations.

We can try to avoid those situations where fear overwhelms us or make excuses for the feelings we have. Yet this means our lives are run by the fears that overwhelm us instead of having God at the heart of our lives. It can seem almost out of reach to have God at the centre of our lives when we are consumed by fear and worry. Yet 2 Timothy 1:7 says: "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline"

The power God gives us is the power to act despite our fears, to ignore those voices in our heads that stop us from pursuing what we need to face. Fear can be crippling, but God's love is immense and He loves you despite them. We are safe in the knowledge that God's love is more powerful than any fear we have. Lastly, self discipline - We need to have discipline when coming to dealing with our fears. It helps us to stop listening to those nagging voices but instead listen to God's voice.

Overcoming fear is not simple and we need to acknowledge it before it takes root in us. By doing this, we trust in God's power and in the truth of who He is to fight any fear that comes into our lives. We need to recognise those moments when fear stops us from doing things, or when fear controls our actions, our relationships and we become paralysed with fear. Don't let fear become the voice you hear.  Instead, turn to the Bible, read scripture and pray into those verses about fear. In Psalms 34:4 it says, "I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears." God will deliver you. Breathe in God's word and breathe out the fear. Fear will not have a voice unless you give it one.

God's Word is full of fearful men and women. For example even someone like Moses who was chosen to lead Israel out of Egypt experienced fear. When God asked Moses to go and free the Jews, Moses is afraid and doesn't want to go. He tries to make excuses and allows his insecurities and fear to control his actions. God is angry because He has gives Moses all the tools to complete the plan, yet Moses allows his fears to control his life rather than follow God's plan for his life. Moses says to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” (Exodus 3:11-12). Moses faith in the certainty that God is with him, gives Moses the courage to follow God's plan rather than fears of his own inadequacies.

This is an example we should all follow. Live a life where you walk in confidence knowing your Lord and Saviour and when those fears start to creep in, turn to Jesus for he loves you.

"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." (Isaiah 41:10).