Overcoming Fear
Fear
can be defined as an imagined or real threat that we have. Wikipedia defines
fear as an emotion induced by a perceived threat which causes us to quickly
pull away from it. It is a basic survival mechanism in response to a specific stimulus
which is perceived as a risk of significant loss. Fear almost always relates to
future events, such as worsening of a situation, or continuation of a situation
that is unacceptable.
To overcome fear we have to face the truth behind why we are
fearful, we have to expose the truth in each situation we are fearful of.
1.
A lot of the times we predict worse-case
scenarios over the things we fear. Some fear comes from deep within us, from
past experiences and hurts. If we have been through a trauma or crisis of any
sort, we can relive that moment all over again by just thinking about the
memory. Our brains cannot distinguish if the event just happened or happened
years earlier.
2.
Sometimes we imagine fearful things that could
happen, but have not actually happened yet. This is fear of the unknown and
fear of the future. We might be fearful of going back but also fearful of
moving forward. Fear, paralyzes you, and gets you stuck; can’t move forward and
can’t go back.
3.
You may have had a lot of bad things happen to
you, and you live tense and fearful they could possible happen again. This is
being fearful of unpredictability. You may have lived in a state of chaos and unpredictability
before, and this has you on edge waiting in fear, geared-up, for the next unpredictable
thing to happen.
You may be familiar with the acronym for FEAR:
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real
Is it possible to overcome fear? Yes! Face what you’re
fearful of and ask Jesus to forgive you of the fears you have and not fully
trusting in Him. Don’t live another day bound and tormented in fear. Fear is
not originated by God, but satan.
Some Tips to Overcome Fear:
1.
Many times people are worried and anxious about
events that will never actually happen to them. Relax. Focus on today only and
take it one day at a time.
2.
Stop “predicting” what will happen in your life
and the lives of those you know.
3.
Pray and ask God to deliver you from your fears.
Prayer is a powerful weapon!
4.
Take your fearful thoughts captive immediately!
Don’t dwell on them or ponder them. Replace those fear thoughts with a scripture
like this one, I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians
4:13.
Prayer
for overcoming fear:
Dear
Heavenly Father,
We
come asking you to forgive us of our fears and not trusting you with our lives
and the lives of those we love. Help us to not live one more day in fear. We
ask that you release us from the grip of fear that satan has on us, in the name
of Jesus.
“Peace I leave 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.” John 14:27, NLT
Reflection
Questions:
1. Are you living in fear? Do you know
why you fear the things you do?
2. Have you asked the Lord, Jesus to deliver
you from your fears?
3. What steps do you need to take to
trust God and surrender all your fears?
Overcoming Fear
Fear
can be defined as an imagined or real threat that we have. Wikipedia defines
fear as an emotion induced by a perceived threat which causes us to quickly
pull away from it. It is a basic survival mechanism in response to a specific stimulus
which is perceived as a risk of significant loss. Fear almost always relates to
future events, such as worsening of a situation, or continuation of a situation
that is unacceptable.
To overcome fear we have to face the truth behind why we are
fearful, we have to expose the truth in each situation we are fearful of.
1.
A lot of the times we predict worse-case
scenarios over the things we fear. Some fear comes from deep within us, from
past experiences and hurts. If we have been through a trauma or crisis of any
sort, we can relive that moment all over again by just thinking about the
memory. Our brains cannot distinguish if the event just happened or happened
years earlier.
2.
Sometimes we imagine fearful things that could
happen, but have not actually happened yet. This is fear of the unknown and
fear of the future. We might be fearful of going back but also fearful of
moving forward. Fear, paralyzes you, and gets you stuck; can’t move forward and
can’t go back.
3.
You may have had a lot of bad things happen to
you, and you live tense and fearful they could possible happen again. This is
being fearful of unpredictability. You may have lived in a state of chaos and unpredictability
before, and this has you on edge waiting in fear, geared-up, for the next unpredictable
thing to happen.
You may be familiar with the acronym for FEAR:
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real
Is it possible to overcome fear? Yes! Face what you’re
fearful of and ask Jesus to forgive you of the fears you have and not fully
trusting in Him. Don’t live another day bound and tormented in fear. Fear is
not originated by God, but satan.
Some Tips to Overcome Fear:
1.
Many times people are worried and anxious about
events that will never actually happen to them. Relax. Focus on today only and
take it one day at a time.
2.
Stop “predicting” what will happen in your life
and the lives of those you know.
3.
Pray and ask God to deliver you from your fears.
Prayer is a powerful weapon!
4.
Take your fearful thoughts captive immediately!
Don’t dwell on them or ponder them. Replace those fear thoughts with a scripture
like this one, I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians
4:13.
Prayer
for overcoming fear:
Dear
Heavenly Father,
We
come asking you to forgive us of our fears and not trusting you with our lives
and the lives of those we love. Help us to not live one more day in fear. We
ask that you release us from the grip of fear that satan has on us, in the name
of Jesus.
“Peace I leave 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.” John 14:27, NLT
Reflection
Questions:
1. Are you living in fear? Do you know
why you fear the things you do?
2. Have you asked the Lord, Jesus to deliver
you from your fears?
3. What steps do you need to take to
trust God and surrender all your fears?