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Are you having a hard time pushing past your fears?

You are not alone. 

We’ve all struggled with fear at some point in our lives.

With our world being as volatile as it is, we can easily find ourselves giving into it.

Fear is a weapon that the enemy loves to use to deceive God’s people.

Let’s look at what fear really is….

What is a fear?

Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.

Did you catch that? Fear is caused by a belief.

When we begin to feel fear, there are a few things we can do to recognize where it came from and push past what’s seeking to hold us back.

How to Get Over Fears that are Holding You Back

Think about what you’re thinking about….

When fear begins to rise up, we can usually find the root by looking at what we are thinking about.

Years ago I remember my pastor encouraging us to think about what we are thinking about. He suggested that throughout the day we should be monitoring our thoughts, because not every thought should be allowed to take root in our minds.

I have to be honest, when I started doing this I was appalled by what I had let consume my thoughts!

The enemy loves to occupy space in our thought life. If we allow him in, he will consistently feed us lies. Those lies can lead to fears.

Let me ask you…

What thoughts are you allowing to consume your mind? Are you accepting every thought that comes into your mind?

In Philippians, Paul encourages us that we don’t have to let our minds be filled with random thoughts that come our way….that we can be intentional with what we focus on.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 NLT

This is so encouraging! Just because a thought comes into our minds, doesn’t mean we have to accept it! We can set our minds on the things above and not the things below. (Colossians 3:2)

But what about those fear thoughts that seem to come out of nowhere? (Yes, I’ve had those too!)

The Word is very clear about how to handle these fiery darts…

We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5 AMP

We take them captive and make them obedient to Christ.

What does that look like?

The way I take my thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ it looks like this: 1. Acknowledge where it came from 2. Rebuke the thought. 3. Make it line up with the Word.

Here’s an example of a thought I had just a few days ago:

>>> Thoughts: What if my son moves out and can’t make it on his own? What if he needs me and I’m not there for him?.<<<

1. Those thought are not from God! 2. I rebuke them in Jesus’ name. 3. God loves my son even more than I do. He is His protector. He covers him, keeps him safe and provides for his every need. I refuse to worry, but instead trust in God’s provision for his life!

Speak to your fears

But Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Yes—and if you embrace this kingdom life and don’t doubt God, you’ll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles. This mountain, for instance, you’ll tell, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it will jump. Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God.” Matthew 21:21-22 MSG

Jesus encourages us to SPEAK to our mountains. When fear tries to rise up against us, we can speak the TRUTH to it. It’ been said that the Bible has 366 scriptures that encourage us to Fear Not.

God knows we will have opportunities to fear. BUT, He’s also equipped us with tools overcome. Our mouths are one of those tools!

When we speak God’s Word to our fears its like God Himself speaking over those fears. It’s His Word.

There is POWER in His Word.

The Bible says it this way:

God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what.

Hebrew 4:12-13 MSG

There’s no fear, that can stand before the Lord. When we speak His Word over that fear, it has to go in Jesus’ name. When the enemy tries to launch those fear missiles again (and he will), we continue to use the Word and our mouths to battle.

Bring your fears to God….

Do you bring your fears before the Lord? In the past, I’ve neglected to do this. Why? I felt ashamed. I was embarrassed by some of the things I let control me.

But God already knew.

He knows our fears, our worries and our concerns.

When I was going through a battle with fear years ago, I remember the Lord giving me this verse:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

God does not put fear on us. He gives us power, love and a sound mind.

His power, His love, the mind of Christ.

Every thought and every fear can be measured up against the truth of what God says and who He is.

When we bring these lies before the Lord, we are confronted with His truths.

This week I read a post that reminded me of how important it is to get God’s perspective on our fears. How we can lay them down to Him and let Him speak into those fears.

In her post, The Day God Sent Me a Letter about Fear, Sheryl from Simply Scripture shares a letter she felt God writing to her about her fears. I love how she allowed God to speak into those areas that felt so deeply hidden..

Here’s a small excerpt from her letter:

Spend your thought life fixed on me instead of your fears, sweet one. I can tell you are weary of trying to plan, fix, prepare and polish everything. Your head is spinning because you are fearful of what others think of you. What they say and what they think are not important because I know what I think about you. My thoughts and intentions toward you are always good. My Word says that you are complete because of my Son. It is finished. What you say, what you do are all filtered through the blood of Jesus. I see you wearing yourself out trying to be perfect for others. The worlds standards are not what I measure you by. That is a weight that you were never meant to bear.

Are you struggling with overcoming fears today?

Friend, fear is NOT God’s plan for your life. He has plans to prosper you, to give you a future and a hope in Him.

If you are struggling with fear today, identify it and begin to cast it down in Jesus’ name. Replace that fear with the truth of God’s Word. As you begin to consistently do this, you will see your fears melt like wax before the Lord!

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