Dealing with Fear

Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV)

2 Timothy 1:7 - "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." (NIV)

1 John 4:16-18 - "God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (NIV)


Fear comes in many forms. Many of us feared the dark as children. We feared the things that lurked under our bed. But, as we grew, we put these childish fears behind us. Right? Well, not really. Perhaps, we didn't so much grow out of our fears, but we grew into other fears. Fear of the dark grew into fear of the future, of that which we cannot control. As adults, we can often struggle with various fears:
  • Fear of rejection
  • Fear of man
  • Fear of pain
  • Fear of disaster
  • Fear of being alone
  • Fear of demons
  • Fear of risk
  • Fear of marriage
  • Fear of males or females
  • Fear of failure
  • And many other fears
Where do these fears come from? The Bible says that "the one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18) When our minds are not made secure in the love of the Father, fear enters in. We can walk around as seemingly healthy individuals, but with great insecurity in our minds. Fear can dominate us. We fear because of past traumatic experiences, things we have seen and stories we have heard. Sometimes, fear comes to us for no apparent reason. We latch onto the fear, and it becomes part of us.

The feeling of fear is a normal part of being human. Living in fear is a choice to say "NO" to God and who He is. Fear resides in unbelief… unbelief in the character of God. So, what will you do with the feelings of fear that you are confronted with? Will you run to your Father or stay away? The typical manifestation of fear is internal paralysis. You have a feeling that you can't move forward or move back. Fear is a weight that holds you back from everything that God has called you into.

The Father wants to secure your mind and deliver you from fear. How will that happen? First, he can help you identify different fears in your life that are holding you back. Take some time and ask the Father, "What fears are holding me back? What fears do I commonly live with?" Wait on him and reflect on the different thoughts he brings to your mind. Identify the fear with your Father. Sometimes, it helps to do this with a trusted Christian friend. As you are reminded of the fear(s), ask for the Father's help in overcoming them. Where you have lived in fear and unbelief in God's character, take time to ask for his forgiveness. Then, take up your authority and rebuke any specific areas of fear that have plagued you (James 4:7). Choose to stay close to your Father in this process. When the feelings of fear come back, run to your Father through worship and reading his Word.


For More Study
  • Joshua 1
  • Psalm 46
  • Matthew 14:22-35
  • Romans 8:12-17

Thoughts and Questions for Application
  • Do you recognize areas of fear that you have gotten used to… that you commonly live with?
  • Can you match up an area of fear in your life with the area of unbelief in God's character that corresponds to it? (For example: Living with a fear of failure matching up with unbelief that God will complete what he started in you… meaning you won't fail - Phil. 1:6.)
  • Meditate on Psalm 46. What does this Psalm say about God's character? How can you show your trust in him today?

Memorization

Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV)