We live in a world that is full of things that can make one afraid. People fear:
- Death
- Illness
- Failure
- Rejection
- Losing our loved ones
- etc.
Fear is a real and powerful emotion, but it does not have to control our lives. We can overcome fear through faith in God and by following His instructions. When we do this, we will experience the freedom that comes from living without fear.
If you are struggling with fear, there are steps you can take to overcome it. In this post, we will discuss how to overcome fear from a Christian perspective. We will explore the biblical teaching on fear and offer practical tips for dealing with it.
1. TRUST & DIRECTION
On the evening of that same day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they left the crowd; the disciples got into the boat in which Jesus was already sitting, and they took him with them. Other boats were there too.
Matthew 4:35-38
There’s a directive and we trust in the director. We do not fear because we know where we’re heading next and trust our leader. In Verse 35, Jesus told them let us go across… and Verse 36 lets us know that … AND they went. TRUST eliminates fear.
When we learn to trust in God and his Word, we will not fear.
2. KNOW WHO YOU SERVE
Throughout Psalms 56, David always spoke from a standpoint of confidence. Even when he spoke of the situation, he was talking as though he was just a spectator.. stating what was happening. This made me wonder why… It was actually quite simple. ONCE YOU LOOK AT VERSES 4,8-10, you’ll understand.
His confidence in God’s ability to redeem him was birth from his fellowship with God. It wasn’t him saying what he had heard. It was him speaking from a standpoint of his experience with God. You could sense the camaraderie between him and God through his words.
WHEN YOU’RE AWARE OF WHO YOU SERVE AND HIS CAPABILITY, what room does fear have? Even the aeons must conform!
3. UNDERSTAND TIMES & SEASONS
In our Christian walk, we must understand that there are times and seasons in which we operate. In every season, there’s a Word that gives us the directive which we must follow in order to advance. Jesus told the in the evening that they should go across the river – pointing towards a particular season and directive. The overall Word they were operating on was to preach the message… but the Rhema for that moment was to go across the river at that time.
On the same day, when evening had come,
He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”Matthew 4:35
David didn’t fear even though he was surrounded by increasing number of enemies (Psalms 56:1-2) because with his understanding and walk with God, he knew the season was one meant to pass with his victory as the end result (Psalms 56:4).
I trust in God and am not afraid;
I praise him for what he has promised.
What can a mere human being do to me?Psalms 56:4 GNT
As we walk in union with the Holy Spirit to recognize times and seasons, WE WILL NOT FEAR.
4. ACTING UPON THE WORD
The Bible says that
“God has not given us a spirit of fear,
but of power and of love and of a sound mind”2 Timothy 1:7
Psalms 56:3-4; 10-11
It is not just enough to have knowledge of a thing. You need to walk in tandem with that knowledge to manifest the results that you desire.
David says in verse 4 of Psalms 56:
“By God’s help, I will praise his word. By God’s help, I will trust in him. I will not be afraid.”
To be able to praise the Word, it was received… it was acted upon and brought about an effect. Do not be ignorant. There’s a promise and a Rhema (word for the now). Act upon the Word and the promise will be manifested.
The day I call to you,
my enemies will be turned back.
I know this: God is on my side—
the Lord, whose promises I praise.
In him I trust, and I will not be afraid.
What can a mere human being do to me?Psalms 56:9-11 GNT
5. LOSING SIGHT OF GOD BIRTHS FEAR
Jesus was in the boat with the disciples. Despite all they had encountered with him, once they lost sight of him, fear took over them and they started to do things that seemed important but had no point. GOD is always with us. Let us never forget.
WHEN FEAR TRIES TO RISE, CONSULT GOD
Psalms 56:1-11
David recognized the terrifying nature of his situation and rather than panic and remain fearful on his own, he took his concerns to God… reminding himself and God, that he knows victory is at hand. You can notice this in the verses where he kept on saying “By God’s help, …” before declaring what will happen due to
God’s assistance (verse 4, 10, 11).
He understood that being afraid is not going to make the situation solved or less terrifying. So why should he give room for FEAR to dwell in him. Rather, he gave God charge of himself and his circumstance. That’s where the disciples fell short in Matthew 4… They did all they thought could solve the issue before remembering that it’s all pointless without Jesus.
GOD is not a second option.
