How can we overcome fear when work and life can get overwhelming and fear takes root? However, it is possible to overcome fear to live a more contented life.
Overcome Fear
There are types of fear that cause us to react with fear, including fear of the unknown. Our brains and bodies react to these fears. There are some short-term effects and long-term effects of fear on our health. The Bible tells of a good type of fear which is the fear of the Lord. There are so many benefits of leaning into the Lord and being in awe of Him. And obeying His commands.
Now we need to know how to overcome the fear so we will have peace in our lives.
Five Ways to Overcome Fear
1. Give God Control of your Life
Oftentimes, we try to solve all of our problems by ourselves and rely on our own strength. I don’t know how many times I have had to learn this lesson. It is repeated so many times that I would think God is rolling His eyes at me! But He does not.
Really it comes down to trust. Can I trust God with my life and that He has the best outcome for me?
Yes, we can. Because He has promised to be with us and has fulfilled that promise.
God Fights Our Battles!
In Deuteronomy, Moses gave three long discourses before the Israelites crossed the Jordan to go into Canaan, the Promised Land.
God told the Israelites to not fear because He is the one who fights for them in their battles.
You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.
Deuteronomy 3:22 ESV
Do Not Fear: God Goes With You!
And at the end of his third discourse, Moses told Joshua and Israel to not fear those in the land. God is going with them.
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV
2. Fear the Lord and Him alone
Fearing God is shows up frequently in the Bible.
The greatest commandment for us is to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. And the second commandment is to love others. When we fear and respect God, this shows our love for Him. Out of respect for Him, we obey His commands of loving Him and loving others around us.
This is our whole duty to fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV).
When we fear God, we don’t have room for fear. God’s love casts out fear.
God’s Love Casts Out Fear
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.
1 John 4:18a ESV
God is love. And He loved us so much that He gave His Son to die in place of our sins (John 3:16 ESV). When we abide in Him or stay close to Him, His love is perfected in us. So we do not need to fear.
3. Overcome Fear with Power, Love & Self-Control
Because we have faith in God and what He is able to do, we don’t need to fear. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior we are given the Holy Spirit as our helper. We can draw on that power within us to get through whatever challenge we are facing. That power gives us strength, God-like love for others, and soundness of mind.
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
4. Rely on God
Life isn’t Easy but We Don’t Need to Fear!
Jesus told the disciples that we would have trouble in this world. He didn’t promise an easy life. Yet He told the disciples that we would have peace in Him. And that He had overcome the world (John 16:33 ESV) meaning that Jesus is the victor over all who oppose Him.
In addition, with any suffering that we go through in Jesus’s name, we are blessed. We do not need to be fearful or worry about these things.
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled.
1 Peter 3:14 ESV
We don’t need to fear what others may do to us because God is with us. The theme of God’s presence is repeated.
So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:6 ESV
5. Pray Continually
There will be times when life is scary. And thoughts will come into your head that will cause you to go down a path that is not helpful.
God tells us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV). This is so we can remain close to our power source. If you don’t plug your cell phone in, the battery goes dead. It needs to be connected to its power source to maintain a charge. Now batteries do work a little differently but they do need a power source to keep working. We need to be connected to God to keep working.
And Paul told us – instead of worrying, to pray about everything! (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV). When we pray like this, God gives us peace. It is a peace that is so awesome that we can’t begin to comprehend it. And it guards our hearts and minds! We need that! A mind that is guarded by peace so we don’t worry or fear anything!
Reflection Thoughts: Overcoming Fear
- Which of the verses on fear encourages you the most & why? Thank Him for that.
- Which of the five ways to overcome fear do you need to work on the most? Spend time with God in prayer about this and ask Him for His help.
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