Life can be scary. That statement may seem overly simplistic, but there’s no better way to say it. There is so much trouble and chaos going on around us, simply existing from day to day can feel like a daunting task. Thankfully, we are blessed with access to a written copy of God’s will for His people. The truths found in God’s Word can equip us to tackle the things in our lives that can produce fear, anxiety and worry.
Before we get into how to better tackle our fears, it’s important to understand that being afraid is nothing to be ashamed of. Yes, the Bible does have hundreds of examples of God telling us to “fear not.” However, that doesn’t mean that God is angered or disappointed when we experience fear. God intricately designed us to experience a full gamut of emotions with fear being one of them. Fear is a natural instinct in many cases, and God is fully aware of that fact.
If you are experiencing a fearful situation in your life that is causing you to lose sleep or feel anxious, don’t be ashamed of yourself. God isn’t annoyed with your fear. However, He does offer a list of promises that we can pray over our fears, strengthening ourselves in order to better face them.
Recognizing the Source
2 Timothy 1:7 (TPT)
For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control.
Your fear does not come from God. The Holy Spirit, which dwells in each and every believer (1 Corinthians 6:19) does not bring fear and anxiety. Instead, the Bible says that the Holy Spirit provides us with power, love and self-control. Why did Paul use those three things as a contrast to fear?
First of all, the power of the Holy Spirit is greater than anything that would cause fear to overtake you. Whether it’s a bad doctor’s report or problems at work, the Holy Spirit is more powerful than any illness or any income problems that you’re experiencing. When you fully embrace the power of the Holy Spirit in your life, you will be more focused on the source of your power than you are the presence of your problem.
Secondly, Paul says that love is the opposite of fear. We automatically assume that faith is the enemy of fear, but that’s not what Paul told Timothy. John seemed to agree with Paul when he wrote that “perfect love casts out all fear” (1 John 4:18). The Holy Spirit is God’s presence in the lives of His people who He loves dearly. When we rest in that love, we understand that we are protected against the things that we are fearful of.
Finally, Paul says that the Holy Spirit provides self-control instead of fear. When we are fearful, it’s easy to lose control over our emotions and our words. Instead of lashing out in fear-induced anger, the Holy Spirit allows us to exhibit self-control in the face of anxiety.
When you’re experiencing fear, remember to identify the source. Your fear does not come from God. Instead, it is an attack of the enemy who wants to weaken you and ultimately destroy you. Pray for God to help you better submit to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit when you feel overwhelmed by fear.
Throw it All Away
1 Peter 5:7 (TPT)
Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you.
Have you ever tried to move a heavy object by yourself? Perhaps you were trying to rearrange some living room furniture. While you may be able to move some decorations such as a lamp and a clock on your own, heavier items require some help. For instance, you may not be able to move your sofa from one wall to another on your own. Why? Because it wasn’t designed to be a one-person job.
Similarly, you weren’t designed to carry around all of your worries and stress on your own. That was never God’s intention for you. God worded it like this when He was speaking to King David:
Psalm 81:6 (ESV)
“I relieved your shoulder of the burden; your hands were freed from the basket. In distress you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.”
God took the burden away from David and carried it Himself. He wants to do the same for us. Instead of continuing to carry your stress and anxiety on your own, it’s OK for you to tell God that it’s simply too heavy for you. There are certain things that God wants us to do on our own, but packing around the unnecessary weight of cumbersome fear isn’t one of them. Instead, we can throw all of our anxieties and stress onto Him. Why? Because He “tenderly cares for you.” You weren’t designed to carry it, it’s too heavy. But nothing is too hard for God.
When you’re overwhelmed by the stress and worries of life, ask God to take them from you and be willing to “leave them there.” When worry tries to rise inside of you, put it under submission to the Holy Spirit. When you make your problems God’s problems, you’re no longer responsible for carrying them on your own.
Focus on the Present
Matthew 6:34 (TPT)
Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes at your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself.
It’s easy to become so focused on worrying about what’s going to happen in the future that we miss God’s presence in the present. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned against such behavior. Will there be problems in the future? Yes. Jesus said there would:
John 16:33 (TPT)
And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you ret in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world.
Problems are promised. That’s probably not what you wanted to hear and it’s certainly not popular theology, but Jesus guarantees us that we will have problems while we are living in this “unbelieving world.” However, we can experience the same peace that He had in Him. Think about that for a moment. The same peace that resided in Christ now resides in us. Why? Because the presence of the Holy Spirit is just as tangible in our own lives as it was in His.
Tomorrow, next week, next month and next year don’t have to be sources of anxiety for us because our God has already gone into our future. In Psalm 139:5, the Psalmist says that God has “gone into my future to prepare the way.” Those things that you haven’t encountered yet have already been filtered through the hand of God.
When you feel like you are experiencing fear and anxiety over something that hasn’t happened yet, ask God to help you refocus. Spend some time looking at what’s going on around you in the moment and shift your focus to that. Those things may be scary as well, but Jesus said that we should deal with each challenge that comes our way. Ask God to help you rest in the promise that your future has already been handled and nothing that comes as a surprise to you comes as a surprise to God.
A Closing Prayer:
God, You are fully aware of the fear and anxieties that I’m experiencing. Help me to cast all of my worries and anxieties on You because I know that You tenderly care for me. When fears of the future begin to creep up inside me, help me to focus on Your goodness, grace and mercy in my present. I know that You are already in my future, and You are making sure that everything works for my benefit. In the name of Christ I ask these things, Amen!