Seven Steps to Overcome Fear?
A doctor carried out a study on fear among his patients. He found that the young people are afraid of their future. The married people are afraid of their children and their wellbeing. The old people are afraid of their health and future. He also found that most of them were afraid of many things which never happened as they expected and went through a time of fear. All people go through a time of fear. What are the solutions to overcome fear?
1. Trust God:
The first important step to overcome fear is to trust God, when you are attacked by fear. Understand that fear will lead to worry and it will not solve the problem. When you go through a time of fear say to yourself, “I can overcome this fear with the help of God”. You are a child of God and God cares for you. You are special to Him. So trust God and pass on the fear to the Lord. Always refuse to give in to fear. Turn to God in the darkest times and trust in Him to make your things right. This trust comes from knowing God and knowing that He is a good God who only wants to give His children good things. Look at Job and remember what he said when he was gripped by fear. He confidently said. “Though he slays me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13: 15). When you have learned to put your trust in God, you will not be afraid of the things that come against you. You will be victorious over fear and say like the psalmist, ” … let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee” (Ps. 5: II).
2. Study and meditate on the Word of God
The next important step to overcome fear is studying and meditating the Word of God. The Bible says that the Word of God is an offensive effective weapon against the enemy. You have to “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word – of God” (Eph. 6: 17). When you use this weapon, the fear will disappear. You may ask how I can use the Word of God? Memorise some of the promises that the Lord has given to you. Say it aloud when fear grips you. Immediately you will find that your fear vanishes away and hope emerges. The Lord’s Word imbibes you with God’s mind in you. God is a God of positives not negatives. He hasn’t given you the spirit of fear. Fear comes from Satan. But the spirit of bravery and courage comes from God. If you follow the Lord’s teachings and allow Jesus to be fully the Lord of your life, then you will be living a life filled with strong positives and peace in spite of these circumstances.
3. Pray
All men of God depended on this tool when they faced fear and worry. When they prayed in the midst of fear, the Lord heard their prayers and gave grace to overcome fears. Pray and pass on your fears to the Lord because He cares for you. Negative worry and negative fear take away health and life in you. Pray and pass on your concern to the Lord. Then praise God and claim His promises. You will practically find that prayer is the best solution for fear.
4. Remember the greatness of God:
Go into the nature. Look up at the trees and sky remembering that there is a God who made this universe. He has also prepared a place for you in Heaven. Soon you will understand that your God is greater than your fear. You will find that your focus on fear will be changed and you will begin to focus on God and His power, who could help you in your fear. Most people fear for four matters. They are – fear of man, fear of death, fear of health and fear of future. Believers should not worry for these fears because God has given victory over these fears in His death. Once you remember the greatness of God, these fears will disappear because God is greater than these matters and can give victory over them.
5. Focus on God and not on fear
A man gripped with fear always tends to focus on fear. Looking always at fear will not resolve fear. Focus on God. Peter walked on the water as long as he had his focus on the Lord. The moment he focused on the water and the possibility of being immersed in water, he began to sink. Always focus on God when you are under the control of fear. Never focus on fear.
6. Eliminate fear with faith:
The Bible 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. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. “So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matt. 10:28-31). These verses explain why we should have faith rather than fear. The birds of the air do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Remember you are more valuable to God than these sparrows. Trust Him for victory over fear.
7. Remember that God can take away fear by changing situations:
The Bible calls the righteous to “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall” (Ps. 55:22). So pass on your fear to Him because He cares for you. He will give victory as He promised in 1 Peter 5: 7. “Give all your worries and cares to God for he cares about what happens to you.” He will take away your fears and change your situation.
(Dr. C. Barnabas, taken from True Discipleship, May-June 2008)