How can we find help for overcoming fear in our lives?
Fear – that “paralyzing emotion” that tells us “something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or a threat”.
Lately many in our world dread the possibility of catching the Covid19 Virus. In the past year, the fear of this unseen enemy has caused many to stay home, to hide behind masks, and even to panic over what one can do to stay safe.
While this virus is real – the fear that it has produced has caused many to put their lives and goals on hold.
The virus is not the only thing we fear – many live in fear of the unknown and their fear has caused havoc in their life.
What Do You Fear Most?
Fear goes beyond borders or countries and when it attacks it will literally stop you from moving forward no matter how brave you might think you are.
What do you fear most?
- Many fear being alone – especially in times of trouble.
- Many fear death – for them it is a great unknown.
- Many fear not being good enough – a good enough parent or good enough for the job or career that they desire.
- Many fear reaching the end of their life and not realizing their full potential.
- Many fear not being accepted for who they really are – they live their lives pretending to be something else.
These are just a few of the fears that people face and if I continued the list we would all find something that has held us back from living a good life. The point is that there are a great many fears we all might face but the way to overcome them is the same for all fear.
We often simplify fear with catchy quotes like Fear is “False Evidence Appearing Real” or “Forget Everything And Run”. But the truth is that fear is a real emotion that when we give it control in our lives it will cause havoc. So we have to learn how to take that control away from fear.
Does It Help to Identify Your Fear?
I think that it does help us to identify what it is that we fear, at least it puts us on a path of finding healing.
Dealing with fear is not easy but if we choose not to deal with it then fear will govern our lives.
Instead of resisting your fear Maria Stenvinkel, a co founder of Fearless Minds encourages us to embrace our fears.
I believe that is a good place to start, that is to take a deep look at what it is that you fear the most and how it has limited your life to this point.
Recently I had to face the fact that I had lung cancer. At first, the thought paralyzed my whole life, all my goals and dreams for a better future seemed destroyed by this one diagnosis. The fear of the unknown brought more anxiety and everything seemed to spiral out of control.
If I had persisted in letting that fear paralyze I know I would have lost all hope. Finally, I faced it, that dreaded word called cancer. What did I fear – pain, suffering, and death; the end. But being a Christian instead of fearing I looked to God for help through this time. It may seem too simple but that is what I did.
You see the doctor didn’t say this is the end, he said: “Fortunately for you, it has only affected a small portion of one lung, and we can do something about that.” His words “You are going to be OK” should have given me hope but instead, my mind gravitated toward that dreaded word “cancer”. And then fear began to paralyze my life.
What Does the Bible Teach Us About Fear?
Isaiah 35:4 – “say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.””
I think what is important with this verse is that the book of Isaiah is filled with prophesies of God’s judgment on those who reject Him. No nation is safe from Judgment.
Just reading through Isaiah I often wonder how Isaiah handled all that God was revealing to Him. If it was me I believe I would be overwhelmed with fear. Yet, written with the words of judgment are also words of hope.
Chapter 34 of Isaiah contains God;s judgment on all the nations but when you turn the page to chapter 35 God brings a word of hope to those who trust in Him.
Written throughout both the Old Testament and the New Testament are God’s promises to those who trust in him that He will bring peace.
God’s word to Joshua in Chapter 1 verse 9 was a promise – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Jesus in John 14:27 encouraged his followers with these words; “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Psalm 23:4 is a great reminder to all who trust in God – “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
I believe that you searched through the Bible you would find an endless supply of words of hope that will guide you past any fear you may face.
One of my favorite contemporary songs is “I will trust in you.” The words of that song express the great hope for anyone who is struggling with fear.
Do you trust God? Do you trust His promises that He will never leave or forsake you?
If you do then when you are faced with fear in your life turn to the word of God and seek God’s healing work in your life.
I know that He can bring you through anything because He has brought me and so many others through many trials and the fear that accompanies them.
Can We Live Fearlessly?
I have no doubt that we can live fearlessly when we turn our hearts towards God and seek His help.
Living fearlessly doesn’t mean that we will go through life without any cares or concerns. It means that no matter what fear comes our way their is a way through or over that fear with God’s help.
So Where Do We Go From Here?
As I mentioned in the beginning fear is a real emotion, it not something that you can take lightly or ignore. It comes at times in our life when we are facing various trials.
Just trying to ignore the fear wont really help.
Simply quoting your favorite Bible verse on overcoming fear will not really help either.
So we have to live our life facing whatever fears come our way with the hope that comes through a personal relationship with Jesus our savior.
Without that hope that only God can bring we will eventually be overcome by the fear that comes in trials or hard times.
I do hope that this article helps you find a road to recovery from the fears you face in your life.
Without God, I don’t know how I would have made it so far in my life, for He is my comfort in times of need.
May your life be blessed with hope.
Ray
