In my lifetime, I have repeatedly come face to face with the daunting presence of fear. Even though I firmly believe that God has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7) the grip of fear has, on occasion, found its way into my life, often leading to sleepless nights and moments of distress. In this article, I am eager to share my personal experiences and the valuable strategies I’m learning to help overcome fear through the incredible power of faith.
Recognizing the Spirit of Fear
It has become increasingly evident to me that fear is a gift. Scripture tells us that God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear, but someone does give it to us.
Growing up in the South, I was taught to always accept a gift, even when I didn’t want it. You never wanted to offend the person giving it to you. While there may be wisdom in this from a human standpoint, we must learn to be much more confrontational and less accepting when the gift comes from the demonic realm.
Return to Sender
Fear is an undesirable and detrimental package that we should swiftly label “Return to Sender” and promptly dispatch in the opposite direction. We must not entertain fear for even the briefest of moments.
Fear, much like faith, has the capacity to grow over time. If we mistakenly accept the package of fear, it has the potential to expand exponentially if left unchecked.
Fear and faith operate as opposites, effectively serving as reverse forces. Faith grows and gains strength through positive processes, while fear mirrors these dynamics but in a detrimental, negative manner. Notably, fear possesses the capacity to erode any existing faith within us.
In a recent time of prayer, I felt the Lord direct me to vocalize my desires and command change, embracing the idea of “calling those things that be not as though they were. (James 4:17)” However, as I prepared to do so, an unexpected guest arrived – fear. Not a fear of speaking, but the fear of speaking into a reality that didn’t yet exist. This fear manifested as questions:
- What if my words sound foolish?
- What if my declarations don’t come true?
- What if the opposite of what I declare happens
Even after decades of growing in my faith, I found myself wrestling with these doubts. Then a thought struck me: “Who was I afraid would hear these words if not the spirit of fear? No one else is listening.” It became clear that my fear was challenging my faith in the unseen.
The battle between fear and faith is a lifelong journey. Regardless of how much we learn, grow, teach, or preach about it, the struggle persists. Fear isn’t just a passing emotion; it’s a spirit that needs to be cast out, not entertained.
But we cannot just remove the fear. We must replace that new void with faith because leaving a void in its wake only invites fear’s ultimate return.
To conquer fear, we must allow faith to flourish. Faith is a gift from God, available when needed, and it can also grow as our understanding deepens. To nurture our faith, we must feed it with trust in God’s unwavering goodness.
Fear is like an unwelcome guest that interrupts deep conversations with loud, obnoxious comments. If unchecked, it can dominate the discussion and spoil the moment. Similarly, fear must be confronted, its origins acknowledged and then sent packing.
Experience has taught me that confronting fear promptly is more effective. However, replacing the void it leaves with faith in God is equally crucial. When you detect fearful thoughts, counter them with God’s promises and the truth of His goodness.
You might wonder if you know God’s will for a situation. The answer is yes, you do. While you may not know the specifics, you can access God’s mind and His way of thinking. Begin by declaring God’s goodness and trusting His will is always good.
Consider this declaration:
“God, I know you are good. Everything you do is good. There is no evil in you. Though I face fear in this situation, I refuse to let it control my narrative. I cast out the spirit of fear and command faith to rise within me. I declare goodness in this circumstance. Your will, which is always good, shall prevail. I trust in your goodness, knowing you are working this out for my benefit. You are not the author of evil; you are the author of good. I release Your goodness into this situation, believing in a favorable outcome.”
It’s time to stop giving fear a piece of real estate in your mind. Send it an eviction notice and put up a “No Trespassing” sign. It’s more effective to confront fear upfront rather than temporarily allow it to move in.
That’s my goal. That’s my prayer. Let faith arise!
