I remember that day so clearly. My hands trembling, my heart pounding out of my chest, I had woken up in a panic over missing a work deadline.
An overwhelming sense of dread hovered like a dark cloud.
“How will I ever get this done?” I worried aloud.
In that instant, fear and anxiety gripped me as if they would never let go. But I knew I must confront this monster instead of cowering or hiding.
So I prayed, “Lord, be with me through this storm.”
With a deep breath, I began tackling my assignment one step at a time. And you know what? I realized that although fear rears its head now and then, you can overcome it by facing your fears, taking a deep breath instead of panicking, and trusting in God’s strength.
So if anxiety has you in its clutches or phobias hold you back, take hope and courage. We serve a mighty God who is greater than any fear. With Him, you can overcome your fear!
1. Do Not Be Anxious
One of the most common commands in the Bible is to not be anxious or afraid. Philippians 4:6 (NIV) says:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
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Do not allow yourself to be consumed by worry, instead give your concerns to the Lord in prayer.
When you do this, the Bible promises that you will experience the peace of God:
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
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This does not mean that you will never experience fearful thoughts. However, you can choose whether to allow fear and anxiety to overtake you or bring it to God in prayer.
Turning to scripture and meditation when feeling afraid can help to calm your mind and experience God’s presence and comfort.
2. Have Faith In God
Fear and faith cannot coexist. As you build your faith in an all-powerful and perfectly loving God, fear will lose its grip on you.
You’ll be able to trust God to help you face any challenge that comes your way.
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) says:
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
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While fear focuses on the negative possibilities, faith gives you confidence that God’s purpose will prevail. Faith is the antidote to fear.
The more you get to know God through studying the Bible, the more your faith increases. As your relationship with Him grows, Scripture promises God will cast out your fear.
1 John 4:18 (NIV) says:
“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.”
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3. Rely on God’s Strength
Fear often arises from feeling that you have to face challenges alone. Yet the Bible tells us God is always with us, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
When you feel afraid, you can pray and ask God to fill you with His courage, comfort, and wisdom.
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) promises:
“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.”
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God does not just leave you to your own devices. He provides the power you need to get through anything.
Rather than trying to overcome fear in your limited strength, you can call on the Almighty God to be your refuge and strength.
When you rely on God, you do not have to be controlled by fear.
4. Look to Role Models of Faith
When trying to overcome fear, it can be helpful to look to biblical heroes who exemplified courageous faith in the face of danger.
For example, in the Old Testament, Daniel faced the lion’s den with steadfast trust in God’s protection (Daniel 6).
In the New Testament, Jesus’ disciples feared for their lives in a storm at sea until Jesus performed a miracle to calm the winds and waves (Mark 4:35-41).
These stories remind us that with God on our side, we do not need to fear any earthly threat. You can boldly do what God asks of you without being deterred by fear.
Their examples encourage us to place our complete confidence in God. When you do this in any situation, you will be able to conquer fear.
5. Focus on Eternity
Fear is often rooted in an obsession with this temporary world. By aligning your priorities with God’s eternal kingdom, earthly troubles and worries fade away.
Colossians 3:2 (NIV) tells us to:
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
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Instead of getting caught up in the anxieties of this life, you can meditate on the promise of heaven.
God assures us that the pain, sickness, tears, and fears of this world will one day be gone forever in paradise with Him.
Keeping an eternal perspective will allow you to view your current fears in light of the glorious future God has prepared for those who love Him.
6. Take Thoughts Captives
Fears will come, but you do not have to dwell on them. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) says we can:
“Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
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When you notice yourself obsessing over fearful thoughts, you can actively resist them and not allow them to consume you.
The mind is a battlefield, and scary thoughts will attack you. But through prayer, Bible study, and accountability, you can gain victory over the enemy’s tactics.
Taking control of your thought life is essential to overcoming irrational fears.
Philippians 4:8 (NIV) advises that we should think about things that are “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy.”
7. Do What’s Right
Fear tempts us to take shortcuts, compromise convictions, or avoid doing what we know is right.
In these cases, the Bible exhorts us to persevere in righteousness despite feeling afraid.
Matthew 10:28 (NIV) says:
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
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No matter what, cling to the reward that awaits in heaven for those who faithfully follow Christ. You never have to choose between what’s popular and what’s right.
God told Joshua:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
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Believers should never let fear stop them from living out their Christian values. With God’s help, you can choose to do what’s right in the face of any adversity.
8. Seek Accountability and Support
Overcoming deeply entrenched fears rarely happens alone. We all need people who will encourage us, keep us accountable, and walk alongside us.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV) says:
“9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
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Joining a Bible study, or small group, or even just having a trusted Christian friend can make a big difference in defeating fear.
Other believers can build up your faith, pray with you, and challenge ungodly thinking patterns. They can also provide practical and emotional support as you take courageous steps forward.
Hebrews 10:24-25 advises that Christians should consider how to spur each other toward love and good deeds.
With support from the body of Christ, you do not have to be crippled by fear.
Key Takeaways
- Bring all anxieties to God in prayer.
- Choose faith over fear by immersing yourself in Scripture.
- Rely on God’s strength rather than trying to overcome challenges alone.
- Keep an eternal perspective and focus less on temporary worries.
- Take control of your thoughts and resist dwelling on fearful ones.
- Do the right thing even when afraid by relying on God.
- Seek accountability and support from other Christians.
Conclusion
In summary, Biblical principles help believers at any age to overcome all types of fear and anxiety. While fear is inevitable, you can choose whether to let it control you.
Trusting in God’s love and staying rooted in scriptural wisdom allows you to live with steady confidence rather than being ruled by fear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What if I pray but still feel afraid?
A. Continue praying and seeking God’s peace in His Word. Our feelings sometimes take time to align with the truth. But you can choose to trust God and act in faith through fear.
Q. How do I build my faith when I already feel afraid?
A. Start small by reading encouraging Bible verses about God’s love and protection. Listen to praise music. Speak scriptural truths aloud that contradict the lies of fear. The more you immerse yourself in God’s truth, the more fear will dissipate.
Q. What if my fears feel completely irrational?
A. Bring them into the light anyway. God cares about your deepest struggles. He can help you get to the root of irrational fears and replace them with His peace. Getting Christian counseling may also help uncover the root cause of anxiety disorders.
Q. I’m afraid to pray or be honest with God about my feelings.
A. Remember that condemnation does not come from God. He already knows what you’re feeling and wants to help you. God is for you, so you do not need to be afraid to confide in Him about anything.
Q. How can I stay focused on eternity when fear feels so pressing?
A. Make time each day to read the Book of Revelation and meditate on the glories of heaven that await all believers. Imagine looking back on current fears from heaven’s perspective. Set reminders to keep your eyes on Jesus and the eternal.
Q. What is exposure therapy?
A. Exposure therapy is a psychological treatment that involves helping individuals confront and gradually become less sensitive to the situations, objects, or thoughts that cause anxiety or fear.
Q. How does exposure therapy work?
A. Exposure therapy works by exposing individuals to the stimuli that trigger their anxiety or fear in a safe and controlled environment, allowing them to learn that these cues are not dangerous.
Q. Who can benefit from exposure therapy?
A. Exposure therapy can be beneficial for individuals experiencing phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and other anxiety-related conditions.
