I have had many struggles in my life, but one of the largest and hardest to defeat has been fear. When I say fear, I’m not talking about the “I’m scared to be alone at night” kind of fear. I am talking about the type of fear that causes you to worry or obsess over a situation that you know is probably fine. It probably borders on anxiety. However, I am not talking about anxiety.
Before I even get started I want to clearly say that I am discussing a battle that is fought in your mind and is often a Spiritual battle. I have minor in psychology and I wholeheartedly support people receiving professional help if they need it. What I am discussing here is the type of fear that can be relieved when we are focused on the power of God.
My Fear
My first memory of dealing with fear was around the time when I was in or immediately following college. It was probably brought on by a traumatic incident that happened right before my first semester. Anyways, since then, there are times where I am so worried and fearful that I have to contact the person I am worrying about to be sure they are okay.
One problem is that I have a very vivid imagination. I can imagine all of the things that could have happened. If My mom doesn’t answer her phone, my mind says shes lying at the bottom of a flight of stairs with broken bones. My husband’s not home from work on time? I start checking traffic apps to see if there was an accident along his route home and pray it wasn’t him.
The worst, however, is when I’m alone and I have this feeling that something isn’t right, but I don’t know what to do about it. Some would say I am a control freak, and I probably am. However, a lot of times I have been driven by fear. So I had to learn how to deal with it.
Going on the Offense
In the Armor of God the only offensive weapon, the sword, is the Word of God. So the best thing you can do when battled by something is go on the offense with Scripture. My favorite verse to quote when I am being battled by fear is 2 Timothy 1:7,
For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
This verse reminds me that my fear or worry is not of God. That we serve a God of peace. Which leads me to more great verses to remember when battling fear, Philippians 4:6-7.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
“Be careful for nothing” basically means don’t worry. So this verse is saying don’t worry about anything, but take those problems to God. Let Him know what your fears are and he will take them and bring you peace. Then once you have that peace it will stay with your hearts and minds. But this only happens when we are willing to give Him the opportunity to give us His peace. Sure God knows what our concerns are, but he wants us to take the step to say “here God, I need help with this.”
Sure in some circumstances this may seem cruel. But God is a loving father. Just like I will watch my girls struggle with something until they are willing to ask for help, He does the same.
Verses About Fear
Here are few more verses that can be committed to memory to help combat fear.
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. Psalms 56:3
I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalms 34:4
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
I hope that these verses will help you and bring comfort to you as they have to me. I believe I was delivered from the spirit of fear that I had as a teenager, but I still battle it some times. Some seasons are better than others, but these verses always help me get through. I pray that everyone that reads will be able to feel and know the peace of God in their hearts and lives.
Martina