Counselor's Corner: Stop Trying to Figure Things Out and Trust God

I am an analytical person by nature and I have a need to know how things will turn out. I feel more at ease when I know what is going to happen next. I try to be two steps ahead, and use deductive reasoning to solve the “unsolvable” problems in my life. I can come up with solutions and even draw conclusions to matters that I really don’t have any idea of they will turn out. I would be considered an over-thinker.

What is the root of trying to figure things out? Fear and a lack of trust that God will come through the way we would like.

The result of trying to figure everything out? Anxiety, worry, fear and feeling overwhelmed.

The first step to not figuring out everything is trusting God; however, this is not always as easy some may want you to think it is. Hearing,” Trust in God,” when you are faced with disturbing and difficult circumstances does not come easily for the one facing these circumstances.

When we lean on and trust God for the outcome to situations we then can enter into His peace, joy, and strength. Trusting God means knowing God. Develop a daily intimate time with you and God, and get to know God through His Word and His Spirit.

What does it mean to trust God? To believe His Word and obey Him, to look to Him and hope in His promises even when we can’t see how His plan will unfold for our lives and when everything around us would tell us to not trust Him.

Worry and trusting God do not go together. Make a decision that you will trust God even when the situations in your life spiral out of control or circumstances in your life seem unmovable. Make a decision ahead of time that you will not try and figure out the outcomes to situations that you have no idea how they may turn out. Take it one day at a time, and keep your focus on the day at hand not projecting days, weeks, and months ahead.

Learn to rest in God when troubles come. Resting in God means that you trust God while you are waiting for healing, breakthrough, or answered prayers.

Take time every day and ask God to direct your day and submit your requests and give over your concerns to Him, then go on with your day trusting God has heard you and He is intervening and leading you. If during the day troubling thoughts come to you, stop and tell yourself you have already discussed this with the Lord and He is taking care of your concern.

Reflect:

“To trust God in the light is nothing, but trust Him in the dark-that is faith.” Charles Spurgeon

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5-7

Counselor's Corner: What Does it Mean to Cast Your Care on the Lord?

What are you holding onto that is causing stress, tension, and worry? A wayward child, troubles in the family, or job difficulties?

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

What exactly does it mean to cast your burden on the Lord?

Burdens make you feel heavy, weighted-down, and like you are the one who has to figure out how to solve the problem. When you feel burdened God promises that if you cast your care upon Him; He will sustain you.

→To cast means to throw something forcefully in a specified direction, or to throw off or away.

1.      Talk to God about your concerns. Be open and honest about what is concerning you or causing your anxiety. Don’t pretend you don’t have concerns and that everything is fine. Come before the Lord and tell Him.

2.      Sit quietly before God and allow Him the opportunity to speak to you about what is concerning you.

3.      Visualize yourself handing over to Jesus the person or situation that is concerning you. Ask God to take your concerns as you place them in His hands.

4.      Pray whatever is concerning you that God intervenes and that the plans of the enemy would come to a halt in the name of Jesus.

5.      Speak out loud scriptures daily over your life, and the situations that concern you.

6.      The most difficult part-after you have given your burdens to the Lord it is time to get up and keep moving. Don’t focus all day and night on what burdens you, if you constantly carry your burdens you will end-up physically, mentally and spiritually drained.

7.      Have a set time during the day, preferably first thing in the morning where you cast your burdens on the Lord and then leave it for the day. Sometimes, our burdens do crop up during the day even after giving them to the Lord. When this happens, don’t sit around and entertain all the possibilities of what could go wrong and what could happen. Stop and give your concerns back to the Lord. If you are undergoing difficult circumstances you may have to do this several times a day. The key to leaving your concerns with God is to not dwell, analyze and worry for hours a day. You could have intrusive thoughts that can be common if you have endured traumatic or difficult situations. The more you practice leaving your burdens with Jesus, the less intrusive thoughts you will have.

8.      The most important key in casting your burdens on the Lord is trusting God with His timing and His outcomes for what you are concerned about. Waiting patiently and expectedly that God has heard your cries and He will come through. As you are waiting on God, DON’T STEP IN AND TAKE OVER! If you get impatient as you wait for God to make a way, keep giving Him your burdens. Tell God, “I can’t carry _____________ (whatever your burden is) any longer, please take care of this for me.”

9.      Believe in your heart that God does care about you and your troubling situation. God’s Word says to cast your anxieties on Him because He cares for us.

10.  Humble yourself before God. Admit to God that you are not capable or strong enough to deal with your burdens.

11.  After casting your burdens on the Lord, you will be able to enter His rest and you will feel light and your load will not feel heavy any longer. The key to Divine rest and a light load is to not hold onto what is burdening you and not to doubt that God has heard your cries for help. Allow God to work, STEP OUT AND LET GOD STEP IN! Only then you experience God’s rest. There are some things that you have to let go of and let God take full control. It is okay to daily give your concerns to God until there is complete victory, and thank God for the victory that is coming.

→Be aware when you are feeling overly concerned in any area of your life, stop and pray immediately and ask God to intervene. You will know you are overly concerned when you are thinking constantly about a troubling situation, worrying, fretting, and figuring out what you can do to.

→Casting your burdens on the Lord usually is not a one-time event but can be daily if you have many burdens that you carry. The more you practice casting your burdens on the Lord, you may notice less tension, stress, and anxiety in your life.

Counselor's Corner: God is Bigger than the Giants you Are Facing

The problem that is facing you may be large and may seem impossible to overcome, but God is bigger than what you are encountering. The enemy likes to magnify your difficulties, and by doing this your problems appear larger than they really are. When your problems seem larger than they really are, fear, anxiety and worry can overcome you.

Reflect and ponder:

 Do you have any situations in your life that seem impossible to overcome, or perhaps your circumstances seem larger than what God can do?

Counselor’s Corner:

Let’s take a look at the story of David and Goliath for overcoming impossible situations or the “giants” in your life. The Israelite soldiers woke up every morning to hearing the relentless taunting of Goliath. The Israelites focused on Goliath’s size-he was very large, a giant! The Israelites listened to Goliath’s demeaning words and they knew they could not win the battle against him, so they did nothing. However, David spent time in the presence of the Lord, singing praises to Him and he continually spent time with the Lord. When David saw Goliath he did not waste any time in fear, but because he had been with the Father he knew who would be fighting for him. David knew he did not need any special weapons to fight Goliath because he understood that God would fight the battle for him.

Remember the story in the Bible in the book of Numbers where the Israelites were to possess the Promised Land, but when the 12 Israelites spied on their land before entering it and saw the giants…they ran in fear. However, Joshua and Caleb saw something different than the 12 spies. The 12 spies looked at the giants and knew there was no way they could win, but Joshua and Caleb looked at the giants and knew there was no way they could not win!  When facing “giants” in your life, it is important to realize that God can do the impossible and remove that “giant” in your life. Having this kind of confidence that God will fight for you comes only from spending imitate time with the Father. Sitting every day at the feet of Jesus (in His presence) will equip and prepare you for your battles. When you spend quiet time with God, listening to the Holy Spirit there is no need to worry how to fight your battles because in God’s rest and His strength He will battle for you and he will give you strategies to win!

Yes, your “giants” are most likely bigger and stronger than you, but are they bigger and stronger than God?

Who are you focusing on more? The “giants” in your life or the King of Kings? Victory came for David and the Israelites because David had spent time in the presence of the King, and this time prepared David’s heart that with God on his side no giant would be impossible to defeat.

What you focus on, you magnify!

Your problems may not change, but you can stop focusing your gaze upon how big your problems are and instead focus on how big your God is! Instead of focusing on your problems daily, CHOOSE to get up every day like David did and focus on God and His presence.

Guard your alone time with the Father. Distractions will try and steal your time with God. The devil sets you up to get you upset, because he knows that when you get emotional and upset you have a hard time hearing God.

Many times in your life you will face “giants” that seem impossible to conquer, but God promises in His Word that you already have the victory in Jesus Christ. At times God brings giants, storms and challenges so you so that you will grow in your faith.

MEDITATE ON THIS SCRIPTURE:

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” 1 Samuel 17:35

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. Exodus 14:14

Resource to help you be an overcomer:

►For additional information on how to overcome your “giants” in your life it starts first in your mind and with your thoughts. Check out my book, “Disciplining your mind, 30 days to a betteryou,” to learn how to overcome a negative, defeated thought life.

Counselor's Corner: Most of What We Worry About Never Happens

I read somewhere years ago that 85% of what we worry about never happens! And 15% of what does happen you will be able to handle better than expected.

When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened. Winston Churchill

Worry is feeling uneasy or being overly concerned about a situation.

Excessive worry puts your mind in overdrive and you constantly focus on what may happen. Excessive worriers react intensely to stressful triggers, and even thinking about the situation can lead to great anxiety. When we are worrying, we are in the midst of repetitive thinking that is non-productive. People who are analytical tend to worry more because they are trying to figure out a solution to their problem.

Everyone has normal stress and demands, but when worries and anxieties become chronic; the stress response can be triggered. The stress response is known as “flight or fight,” and causes the body’s sympathetic nervous system to release stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These stress hormones can trigger health problems such as dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth, irritability, headaches, shortness of breath, and muscle tension. The outpouring of stress hormones can lead to a suppressed immune system, short-term memory loss, and heart attack. When we worry our bodies respond the same way it would react to physical danger. Your body will tense up as you prepare for danger and this can turn into aches and pains such as headaches and back pain.

Worry is a waste of time, and it drains us of energy. Why do we worry then? We believe that all our worrying will help somehow. We believe that if we worry enough we might prevent bad things from happening.

Worry leads to anxiety and anxiety leads to fear. Worry can also make you more prone to depression. Worry disturbs your peace and it becomes more difficult to concentrate when worried.

You can rewire your brain to stop worrying by focusing on the following:

1.      When a worrisome thought enters your mind, immediately take that thought captive to Christ. Ask God to help you to stop repeatedly thinking about the problem and ask for His wisdom. Trust God and take your concerns to Him instead of worrying. It is okay to have concerns about things, but take them to God instead of mulling over them in your mind.

Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God, and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

2.      Become thankful. Be thankful for the things that you do have, and do not dwell on circumstances out of your control. Think on the good things in your life.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

3.      Focus on one day at a time. Stop projecting what may happen tomorrow. God’s grace is sufficient for the day, He does not give us grace for days and weeks ahead. Remember most of what we worry about never happens.

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious or itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34

4.      Trust God with your life and with your loved ones, even when you do not understand all what has taken place in your life.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight before you. Proverbs 3:5-6

Worry in not productive and it can trigger many health ailments, including depression. There is always something to worry about, but worry does not change anything for the good. The energy that is expended on worrying could be used for more productive things. It is okay to be concerned over things in our lives, but when we begin to obsessively think about the issues; we are worrying-talk to God instead about your concerns and leave the worries with the One who can do something about them.

For an additional resource on how to discipline your mind to overcome worry, depression and anxiousness check out my latest book, “Disciplining Your Mind, 30 Days to a New You.”

Most of What We Worry About Never Happens

I read somewhere years ago that 85% of what we worry about never happens! And what does happen you will be able to handle better than expected.

When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened. Winston Churchill

Worry is feeling uneasy or being overly concerned about a situation. Excessive worry puts your mind in overdrive and you constantly focus on what may happen. Excessive worriers react intensely to stressful triggers, and even thinking about the situation can lead to great anxiety. When we are worrying, we are in the midst of repetitive thinking that is non-productive. People who are analytical tend to worry more because they are trying to figure out a solution to their problem.

Everyone has normal stress and demands, but when worries and anxieties become chronic; the stress response can be triggered. The stress response is known as “flight or fight,” and causes the body’s sympathetic nervous system to release stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These stress hormones can trigger health problems such as dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth, irritability, headaches, shortness of breath, and muscle tension. The outpouring of stress hormones can lead to a suppressed immune system, short-term memory loss, and heart attack. When we worry our bodies respond the same way it would react to physical danger. Your body will tense up as you prepare for danger and this can turn into aches and pains such as headaches and back pain.

Worry is a waste of time, and it drains us of energy. Why do we worry then? We believe that all our worrying will help somehow. We believe that if we worry enough we might prevent bad things from happening.

If we are worrying, we are not trusting God.

Worry leads to anxiety and anxiety leads to fear. Worry can also make you more prone to depression. Worry disturbs your peace and it becomes more difficult to concentrate when worried.

You can rewire your brain to stop worrying by focusing on the following:

1.      When a worrisome thought enters your mind, immediately take that thought captive to Christ. Ask God to help you to stop repeatedly thinking about the problem and ask for His wisdom. Trust God and take your concerns to Him instead of worrying. It is okay to have concerns about things, but take them to God instead of mulling over them in your mind.

Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God, and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

2.      Become thankful. Be thankful for the things that you do have, and do not dwell on circumstances out of your control. Think on the good things in your life.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

3.      Focus on one day at a time. Stop projecting what may happen tomorrow. God’s grace is sufficient for the day, He does not give us grace for days and weeks ahead. Remember most of what we worry about never happens.

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious or itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34

4.      Trust God with your life and with your loved ones, even when you do not understand all what has taken place in your life.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight before you. Proverbs 3:5-6

Worry in not productive and it can trigger many health ailments, including depression. There is always something to worry about, but worry does not change anything for the good. The energy that is expended on worrying could be used for more productive things. It is okay to be concerned over things in our lives, but when we begin to obsessively think about the issues; we are worrying-talk to God instead about your concerns and leave the worries with the One who can do something about them.

Are you a chronic worrier? What action steps can you take today to reduce your worrying?

Stress and Exhaustion

Life can be tough, and at times overwhelming. One of the main things that I hear Christians say is, “I am so stressed and exhausted.” There is no doubt the enemy has launched his attacks against Christians.

Some Christians are falling away from their faith because of the stresses of life that have crushed them. Then, there are Christians who are growing closer and deeper to God as the world around them ensues in chaos and turmoil.

There is a war, a spiritual war being waged against Christians in these last days. I believe the enemy is assaulting Christians with circumstances that are gut-wrenching. How many Christians do you know are battling with depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, troubled family and marriages, and financial difficulties?

Stress is caused by a perceived unmanageable set of circumstances that are out of our control.

Stress makes you physically tired, irritable, frustrated, can lead to depression, anger, anxiety, and a host of other mental health issues. Stress can lower your immune system, cause ulcers, gastrointestinal problems, high blood pressure, and insomnia. People who are under stress usually isolate themselves. If you are tired and sick the enemy is “setting you up,” as the enemy being the predator and you being the prey. As in the wild, a predator stalks its prey and watches until it gets alone, possibly injured or sick, and when the prey is tired; then the predator devours the prey. This is what the enemy does to us, he sets up difficult circumstances to weaken us, and at the right time he tries to destroy us.

To keep from succumbing to the stresses in life, we have to stay close to the Lord Jesus. We must spend regular time in the Word of God. We must quiet our minds to hear His voice, and listen to His instructions concerning our lives. Write and journal what the Lord speaks to you, and your inner pain. Talk it over with a mature-Christian friend. Let it out, don’t keep it bottled-up inside. You’re not alone, countless others have gone through and experienced stressful situations.

We cannot have our stability and security with people, possessions, or positions. The only sure stability in this world is Jesus Christ. I would encourage you to keep your faith and trust in God, even if you have lost much in this life, for it is nothing to the place God is preparing in eternity. Allow the Lord to comfort you in all your distress. Work out your pain with God, cry out to Him, and tell Him how you feel. Don’t hold anything back, tell God exactly how you feel.

“When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:19

He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock, when a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it because it was well built. Luke 6:48

Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall. Psalm 55:22

Stress Less by Don Colbert, M.D., a book on stress written by a Christian doctor.

Proven Antidotes for Stress, Anxiety and Fear

Are there things in your life that seem to constantly cause you stress, anxiety or fear?

Are you overwhelmed at times and find it difficult to sleep at night?

90% of what we worry about never really happens, so then why do we worry, stress and plagued by daunting fears? The enemy magnifies those difficult or trying circumstances in our lives, and when we take our eyes off of Jesus and onto these nagging problems we lose perspective. When our eyes are off the Helper, we can easily slip into stress, anxiety and fear. The enemy shows us worst-case scenarios and we begin speaking out what those scenarios look like, but watch out when you begin agreeing with what the enemy says about your circumstances. A lot of the times, the enemy throws one circumstance after another at us, hoping we will take the bait of at least one of them. There is a “wearing-out” the enemy deploys upon us. You may have felt super strong with the first, second, and maybe even the third difficult circumstance, but when they keep coming you better run to the throne of God quickly. When you feel yourself weakening and getting spiritually fatigued, it’s time to run quickly (even and especially if you don’t feel like it) to the feet of Jesus. These schemes diverted at you are not to be taken lightly or not taken seriously. We are never to fear our enemy, but we must know when we are beginning to get attacked.

Another way to know the enemy is trying to get you stirred-up is that you lose your peace and joy and you become restless, even stressed, anxious and fearful.

Random thoughts pop into your mind. You try and take every thought captive but there are so many thoughts coming you find it more and more difficult to gain a hold on the thoughts. When this happens recognize this is a scheme and a plan from the enemy and you must begin to cry out to God for His help.

There are some antidotes I use when I feel attacked, stressed, anxious and fearful. The prescription does not come in a bottle or pill but through the following:

______________________________________________________________________________

Antidotes for Stress:

Stop what you’re doing and go to the throne of God; don’t wait!

Trust God even if it looks big and out of control and your feelings say something else.

Rest in God alone and His help; don’t try and figure out the outcomes!

Evaluate if you are tired, hungry, or sick? If you are, you need to take care of those needs.

Sing, worship the Lord. You will feel a lift in your spirit and the enemy will have to flee!

Surrender all fear, worries, anxieties, and concerns to God; do not hold on to them!

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Antidote for Anxiety:

Admit and confess you have been worrying and you don’t have all the answers.

Never give the enemy a foothold by speaking out what he shows you.

X-amine the reasons you are anxious and speak the truth over every anxious thought.

Identify the lies of the enemy concerning every anxious thought and replace immediately with the truth of God’s word.

Evaluate if all your anxiety and worrying is helping and changing things or making you sick, tired, and weak?

Turn your anxieties to God and give them to Him. Do not hold on to them!

Yearn to have a different life! You do not have to live with anxiety!

Antidotes for Fear:

Filter out all fears immediately. When fears come, pull them down, stop them, and replace with faith-filled statements, such as, “I will not live in fear.”

Entertain thoughts are lovely, of a good report, and praiseworthy.

Accept that you have a real enemy and you will have to be aggressive in your thought life.

Run to Jesus! Do not let the enemy terrorize you and cause you to have what-if fears.

To have peace and the joy of the Lord sometimes you have to fight, other times you have to be still until the attack has passed. Ask Jesus to show you what to do, but ask! If you are feeling those nagging thoughts of stress, anxiety or fear, take these antidotes and begin to apply them.

One Day at a Time

Take it one day at a time. If you are living in the past full of regrets or in the future, you are not at peace. God’s grace is sufficient for you today only. That means He will not give you yesterday’s grace or tomorrow’s grace. Living in the past or future cause’s anxiousness and feelings of being overwhelmed. Did you know that 90% of what we worry about never happens? That’s right most of what we worry about never happens. So why dwell on things that probably will never happen? Do you want peace? Then follow the command of the Lord, Jesus: “So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34, NKJV.

“And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure to his stature or to the span of his life.” Matthew 6:27, NKJV.

So take it one day at a time. This “season” that you’re in will not last forever. What would you do if you had only today? How would you live differently?

Overcoming Fear

God tells us in the Bible over 100 times, “Do not be afraid.” Yet, we can be paralyzed and overcome with fear. There is a lot of things we can fear, the unknown, the future, change, people, failure, and rejection. If we allow fear to rule in our lives, we can become overtaken by it; and live by fear instead of faith.

 

God says, "Do not be afraid."

It takes trust in God not to let fear rise up. We do not always see what is happening, and as humans we can become gripped by the unknowns and what ifs. We can hear the enemy whispering to us, “What if…?” We can then start o be preoccupied by the scenarios that the enemy shows us. We can get in agreement with the lies of the enemy, and believe what the enemy shows us is factual. The enemy always magnifies our circumstances, and makes them appear impossible to overcome and to find a solution to. Fear overwhelms and is rooted with worry and anxiety. If the enemy can get us to live in fear, then he knows we cannot possibly live by faith.

In this fallen world and the times and seasons we live in, there can be a lot to fear. Our only real security is in Christ. We must understand that fear is not implemented by God, and the enemy is the source of all fear. We will all experience fear in our lives, but God does not want us debilitated by them.

You can overcome fear by believing what the Bible says, and meditating on these truths daily, as well as reading Psalm 91. You can also overcome fear by not agreeing with what the enemy says, but instead trust God and His faithfulness. You can overcome fear by believing that God is with you, and He will strengthen you. Believing that fear is not of God, you can take the authority that Christ gives His true believers, and tell that spirit of fear to leave you in the name of Jesus Christ. It is not God’s will that His children live fearful, weak, and intimidated by the enemy. God wants us to be strong and courageous, and not to be afraid.

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 or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

“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

Cast your care on the Lord and He will sustain you. Psalm 55:22

“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 41:10

Believe what the Word says!

Overcoming Fear

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?