Most times, we tend to allow fear and anxiety in our hearts to deprive us of what God has prepared for us. In the process of allowing fear and anxiety overwhelm us, we loose out of stepping into the beautiful life ahead of us, which God Himself has prepared for us.
The Bible made us to understand that a Believer is not without advantage over this pandemic called fear. Let’s see what the Bible says on how to overcome fear and anxiety.
What The Bible Says About Fear And Anxiety
We are made to understand from scriptures that fear is not of God, because we cannot fear God and still fear situations, fear challenges, fear about what tomorrow holds, and all kinds of fear that we allow into our lives, which is not meant to be so.
There is an assurance we have in God that casts out fears and anxiety. Many times, fear is a tool from the enemy—to hinder us from approaching the breakthroughs coming our way and then we find ourselves in darkness after giving in to fear. The devil hinders us from attaining the good things promised by God because of fear and anxiety.
Fear is an instrument of the devil meant to make you drop your own weapons against him, and then destroy you when you are left vulnerable. Fear is more like a luring of your own self into cheating your own self from moving forward in life.
The Bible made us to understand in John 8:44 [paraphrasing] and it says, "When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." Most times, fear are darts from the devil to destroy you, steal your precious dreams and make you wallow in shame.
Also in Philippians 4:6 it says, [paraphrasing]
"Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God."
Which means that, instead of being afraid about everything, choose not be afraid of anything but make it known to God, and those fears will be replaced with answers.
The believer is not without help. In Hebrews 4:16 it says,
"Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]."
We are never without help, we do not just make use of it when we need to.
Having seen all these, let’s see how then do we overcome fear and anxiety, since we now know that the believer is not without help.
How To Overcome Fear And Anxiety
The enemy might have his own weapon against you but you are not without defense. Though the enemy might come in like a flood, always be assured that the Lord will raise a standard against him. The following are the ways which you can overcome fear and anxiety:
1. Through Fellowship With God
Having an intimate relationship with God is an indispensable to overcoming fear and anxiety. The reason is because there is an assurance in God who is love and we know that there is no fear in love, because perfect love cast out fear. When you have a relationship with God, the nature of His love begins to manifest in your life and with time, you discover there is nothing to be afraid of because now you know God is always with you.
- Also, when the love of God is shed abroad in your heart through fellowship with Him, fear will have no place in your life, because your focus is now on Him and not your fears.
- When you allow God in your life, light floods your life and God will always be there for you, and when God is with you, nothing can be against you. You know also that if God be for you nothing and no one can be against you.
- When the love of God consumes you, nothing else can have you because you are secured with His jealousy.
2. Through Consistent Study Of The Word Of God
God’s word is a weapon through which we overcome fear and anxiety. Fear starts as a thought before it becomes an action, but when it is quickly attacked with scriptures, it will have no place for manifestation in your life.
3. Through Daily Affirmation
It is not enough to know or study, it is more important to affirm all that you have studied. The more you affirm those words, the more the reality dawns in your heart. Remember, words are seeds which when planted, have the ability to germinate.
4. By Flooding Your Mind With Positive Thoughts
The Bible made us to understand that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Whatever you allow in your life is what will produce. Do not allow fear and anxiety to settle in your heart, always flood your mind with positive thoughts at all times. Cast down evil and fearful imaginations by speaking positively into your own life.
5. Through The Right Association
Sometimes, all you need is that one person who will encourage you and speak to you to keep you moving. It is not good for a man to be alone, it may not be so easy to scale through your fear and anxiety, but when you hear testimonies of how people went through the same and came out, you will be motivated to take a leap of faith and come out of that fear and anxiety.
It is advisable to keep an association of friends who speaks faith and not fear; friends who encourage you in the days of disappointment. Partner with people who will hold your hands until they see you scale through those moments of fear in life.
Do not associate with just anyone, you have to be selective and intentional about the kind company you keep, so that good things can accompany you in life.
Coping With Fear And Anxiety
Fear is something no man can escape on the journey of life, but the Word of God reveals to us strategies with which we can overcome fear. Firstly, if we resist fear with the same holy scriptures, it will have no choice but to flee.
Fear and anxiety is a gate which when we enter into, it is often difficult to come out. Feeding your mind with fear is telling yourself that cannot do it, which is not supposed to be.
Fear is an information that brings deformation. If you accept wrong signals, it will rule over you, so do not even accept it at all.
Final Thoughts On Overcoming Fear And Anxiety
We have seen so far the reason for fear and anxiety, and we've also see the way out on how to overcome them.
I leave you with these 5 Bible verses to help you see that you are not alone and God is ready to help you out of that fear and anxiety:
- Isaiah 41:13 For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!
- Psalm 34:4 I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him [of necessity and on the authority of His Word], and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
- 2 Timothy 2:17 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
- Psalm 118:6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
- Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
You have seen now that you are not helpless so come out of that fear, break out of that anxiety in Jesus Christ Name, Amen.
I'm trusting the Lord to work through this article on how to overcome fear and anxiety, and help you overcome just that! When in fear, turn to God and He will help you.
God bless you.
