Overcoming Fear
“So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
This has been my favorite verse since I was 16. Just before my 16th birthday, I saw a made-for-TV movie about a woman who was in a car accident and woke up with her face bandaged and deformed. I was terrified to drive and waited several months to attempt my driver’s test, partly because I was afraid to drive and partly because I was afraid of failure! I repeated Isaiah 41:10 throughout my driver’s test and didn’t even feel nervous.
All my life I have struggled with fear. Fear of car accidents. Fear of public speaking. Fear of spiders and snakes (and lizards since moving to California). Fear of heights. Fear of being hit by a train (it crossed my mind at every railroad crossing). Fear of failure. Fear of making someone mad at me. Fear of getting in trouble. Fear of cancer. Fear of losing my husband or kids or parents. Fear of being left out. Fear of rejection. Fear of conflict. I would cling to Isaiah 41:10, knowing that God is my God so I should not be afraid, but not really having any idea how to actually accomplish that! Fear is real and sometimes debilitating; overcoming it can be a challenge.
Today the news is filled with things that cause more fear: the Presidential election, ISIS and terror attacks, the “big one” that is set to hit LA any time. Everywhere we go, there are things waiting to destroy our peace and send us under the bed in a fetal position.
So what do we do? How do we overcome fear? The Bible is filled with the command, “Do not be afraid”. The command denotes that there is an action, and it is my choice how I will respond. I can choose not to be afraid. I can choose to TRUST in the One who is bigger than any of my fears.
Fear is real and sometimes debilitating; overcoming it can be a challenge.
During a difficult time in my life, a friend challenged me to change the subject in my mind when I found myself dwelling on something that was causing me fear and anxiety. I have found this to be so helpful when fears threaten to take over my rational thoughts. I choose to dwell on these things:
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
When I make a choice to think about these things instead of the fears, I break the cycle of fear and claim victory. This choice is not easy, but fear does not have to rule my life. 2 Corinthians 10:5b says, “We take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.” I don’t have to allow fear to have a party in my mind.
Take that fearful thought captive, banish it from your thoughts, and replace it with something true and right. It is a battle. And victory is assured.