Faith over Fear 8-Week Challenge: Day 25

Week Five:

How Do We Overcome Fear - Part 1?

“When I cry out to You,Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me. In God (I will praise His word),In the Lord (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust;I will not be afraid.What can man do to me?” Psalm 56:9-11 (NKJV). Everyone has experienced fear at some point in their life. For those of you who have given into your fears and anxieties, we want you to know that you are not alone. In order to overcome fear, you must learn to push through it, not avoid it. Fear came occasionally before the Coronavirus. It was more of a seasonal emotion: appearing in our lives periodically. With the advent of the global pandemic and news that seemingly changes by the minute, fear has become a more dominant presence in our world, and in us. Throughout the Word of God, there are many believers who faced scary circumstances, and yet overcame their fear. What principles can we learn from their lives to guide us in our present season? Because of today's crisis, many are staring at the giants of sickness, unemployment, death, financial collapse and isolation. The Coronavirus itself may look like a massive giant with impenetrable walls. however, the fight of faith can be difficult, but we are guaranteed victory through the finished work of Jesus. You just have to be careful of your thought life. You have to make sure that any thought that comes into your mind lines up with Scripture. This verse is very clear, that is we don’t pull down these thoughts that are contrary to the Truth, that they become a stronghold over our lives. Fear is one of the most powerful emotions. It has a very strong effect on your mind and body. Early humans needed the fast, powerful responses that fear causes, as they were often in situations of physical danger; however, we no longer face the same threats in modern-day living. Despite this, our minds and bodies still work in the same way as our early ancestors, and we have the same reactions to our modern worries about bills, travel and social situations. However, you can’t run away from or physically attack. “Blessed is every one who fears the Lord,Who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands,You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vineIn the very heart of your house,Your children like olive plantsAll around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessedWho fears the Lord” Psalm 128:1-4 (NKJV).

How Do We Overcome Fear - Part 2?

The physical feelings of fear can be scary in themselves, especially if you are experiencing them and you don’t know why, or if they seem out of proportion to the situation. Instead of alerting you to a danger and preparing you to respond to it, your fear or anxiety can kick in for any perceived threat, which could be imaginary or minor. Fear can create strong signals of response when we’re in crisis or emergencies for instance, if we are caught in a fire or are being attacked. It can also take effect when you’re faced with non-dangerous events, like exams, public speaking, a new job, a date, or even a party. It’s a natural response to a threat that can be either perceived or real. It may appear impossible to defeat and rebound from. As we stare these giants down God is saying the same thing to us that He said to Joshua. “Be strong and courageous. I will be with you.” We can anchor our hope in this truth no matter what we are facing today, “God will be with us.” We are inundated with things to be afraid of: crime, death, and loss all top the list presently. As we attempt to be courageous we are often bombarded with the latest woe and recent development that we had previously never entertained before. In the face of fear we can choose a kind of courage not based on mere will power or our own strength. We can choose courage and strength because God is with us as it says in Joshua 1:9,“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.” New statistics, side effects, and data seem to pile on a daily dose of anxiety as we endeavor to be brave. So just how are we supposed to be fearless at a time like this? How are we supposed to resist the temptation to be overwhelmed by fear when there is an abundance of things to be afraid of? Fear may be a one-off feeling when you are faced with something unfamiliar. Some people become overwhelmed by fear and want to avoid situations that might make them frightened or anxious. It can be hard to break this cycle, but there are lots of ways to do it. You can learn to feel less fearful and to cope with fear so that it doesn’t stop you from living. God never bestows a mental disposition of fear on anyone. If we are overwhelmed by feelings of timidity or cowardice then the source is not originating from God. “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:12-13(NKJV).

Do I Live My Life In “Faith” Or In “Fear”?

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV).

A spirit of debilitating fear comes from our enemy, the devil. He seeks to cripple and debilitate us so that we will shrink back from being the men and women God created us to be. Here in this Scripture, Paul is reminding us that we do not have to be helpless individuals subject to the tricks and schemes of the enemy. We can be courageous because God’s power and might make us brave. God gives us strength for the journey. He offers us a sound mind and unconditional love that casts out all fear. What God offers is ours for the taking, but we must choose to accept His gifts of power, love and a sound mind, and reject that of overwhelming fear. Our dreams are road maps to God’s growing process for our individual purpose. He chose us so specifically and specially to walk out into the world equipped with the ability He put in us, to spread His love in the way that only we can. We walk out into a day filled with clouds of doubt, that the God of the universe is concerned about what we’re up to. New beginnings, impossible dreams, and lists of un-qualifications can derail our walk towards the freedom and peace that He promises us. Yet we still have days strangled with doubt. Well aware of the inevitable imperfections that come along with being human, we let our struggles take the lead. But shortcomings were never meant to make us shortsighted in our view of who we are. We are called to face our fears and risk the unknown to follow the dream that God has laid upon our hearts. Giving Him the lead enables us to discover how ready we are to walk into the next lesson of growth. Bravery and determination in the face of fear and doubt come not from the depths of our own hearts, but His within us. When we put our lives in His capable hands, we are able to view it from His perspective.“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” Ephesians 1:3-4 (NKJV). When doubtful agendas cause us to forget who God has already said that we are, let’s pray for Peace to sweep in and take over.