Fear: To be in apprehension of evil; to be afraid; to feel anxiety on account of some expected evil.
The problem is, about 99% of the fear people experience today are non-physical fear – fear that only exists in our head. We think we’re in danger but we really aren’t. Such fears include:
Fear of public speaking
Fear of people
Fear of strangers (e.g. introverts who find it hard to make new friends)
Fear of authority/demotion
Fear of failure
Fear of loss
Fear of changes
Fear of judgment
Fear of humiliation
Fear of growing old
Fear of being alone
Fear of being hurt
and more
Does any of the fears above apply to you? Chances are, you’ll be able to relate to at least one or more of them at some point in time. I know I definitely do – all of the above applied to me before, even if for just a short period of time or on a small, subconscious level.
Overcoming fear
1. Cry Out to Jesus
Cry out to the only saviour, the God of light, wisdom grace and mercy and you will be very sure he will answer, in fact, you will get the confirmation that he is on your case.
2. Cling to God’s Word
In those dark moments when fear stalks its victims and whispers irrational thoughts, God’s Word is a light, speaking peace and unfolding the truth.
The Bible is not a tool we use to bang on the heads of others to convince them of our beliefs. God’s Spirit is well able to impart life-changing truths through the pages of Scripture to the seeking heart. His Word holds the keys that will set us free from fear.
3. Cast Your Cares (and Fears) on Him
Try writing out a list of things that make your knees shake and your heart rate increase unnecessarily. Then present them to God, one by one. Irrational fears about your children? Give them – and your children – into God’s care. He made them, and He loves them far more than you ever could.
Afraid of failing? What’s the worst thing that could happen? You might be forced to trust God completely. Fling that fears on God. Fear of being alone? Fear of being rejected? Fear of dying? Fear of divorce? Fear of debilitating illness? Fear of not being a good dad or mum? Fear of people? The list of phobias may grow as you begin to identify them. When your list is complete, give all those fears to God and then rip up your sheet.
Or, do some research on your own. Find a promise in God’s Word that deals with each fear. Place the Scripture beside it, and keep it handy near your desk or mirror to refresh your mind that God will take care of them – and you.
4. Confess Your Inability and God’s Ability to Remove Those Fears
Remember who God is, and who you are – His child. He is worthy to be trusted. No matter what you’ve experienced in your Christian life so far, or how little you know about God, one thing I will stake my life on: God is beyond faithful. He has never broken a promise. He never will. Can you say that about anyone else? Without God, we can do nothing. God’s presence is with us – and that makes all the difference in the world. He wants us to live in freedom, not in bondage to the tentacles of fear.
5. Call a trusted friend or Christian counsellor to intercede for you
There are times when irrational fear attacks us suddenly, or roots itself too deep for us to handle at the moment. Look for someone very matured/professional to talk to, pray for you and with you.
Bible verses relating to fear
Isaiah 35:4
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.”
John 14:27
27 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.
Joshua 1:9
9 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.”
Matthew 6:34
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Isaiah 43:1
1 But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Psalm 23:4
Psalm 34:4
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 94:19
19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Psalm 27:1
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
1 Peter 5:6-7
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Psalm 118:6
6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
2 Timothy 1:7
7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Psalm 115:11
11 You who fear him, trust in the LORD— he is their help and shield.
Psalm 103:17
17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—
Psalm 112:1
1 Praise the LORD.Blessed are those who fear the LORD, who find great delight in his commands.
Deuteronomy 31:6
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
1 Chronicles 28:20
20 David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.
Psalm 56:3-4
3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise— in God, I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
Isaiah 41:10
10 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.
Isaiah 41:13
13 For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 54:4
4 “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
Matthew 10:28
28 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.
Romans 8:15
15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him, we cry, “Abba, Father.”
1 Corinthians 16:13
13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
Hebrews 13:5-6
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
1 Peter 3:13-14
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”
1 John 4:18
18 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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