Fear is a common phenomenon every human faces as a result of threats. It is an emotional response caused by the impression of a threat or danger. When confronted by fear, know it is a normal and innate reaction ranging from slight discomfort about things or people around you. Fear may work as a protective mechanism, warning us of impending damage and encouraging us to take action.
However, fear may be unreasonable or debilitating, impairing our capacity to take control of our reality. Understanding and controlling fear is very important to discovering our full potential. You must have experienced this in several ways, but Isaiah 41:10 encourages us not to fear, and this article highlights helpful ways you can overcome the spirit of fear.
What Is the Spirit of Fear?
The spirit of fear is that force that holds you back from fulfilling your potential, getting things done, or standing up to face your reality. It comes from not being able to entirely trust God. It could happen in several ways, making you lose focus and looking down on your strength. Sometimes fear might be challenging to recognize and appear unexpectedly, but in 2 Timothy 1:7, God did not give us a spirit of fear but power, love, and a sound mind. This emphasizes that fear is not a gift or attribute from God; instead, God has blessed us with the ability to overcome fear through His power, love, and a sound mind. It encourages us to trust in God’s strength and love, which can help us deal with the spirit of fear.
Signs That You Have the Spirit of Fear
Fear grips you whenever you are faced with situations beyond your control. These are natural sentiments. However, you may be overwhelmed by a spirit of fear. This fear might be challenging to recognize and appear in unexpected ways. But, here are signs that you have the spirit of fear;
- Overthinking: once the spirit of fear overpowers you, overthinking sets in, and you begin to worry about the situation you find yourself in instead of focusing on God and the power of the holy spirit to help you out, just as it is written in 2 Timothy 1:7.
- The feeling of being neglected by God: You begin to feel like God has abandoned you, leaving your whole world in shambles. But God has never mentioned that he will abandon you; he hasn’t. Because he is a caring father, ready to help you. God’s word in Isaiah 41:10 encourages us not to feel neglected by God because He promised to be with us, help us, and fortify us.
- Isolating from others: when this spirit of fear overwhelms you, you begin to withdraw from close friends and even family members. Genesis 2:18 admonishes us not to have such an attitude because it might hurt and worry others.
- Avoidance of spiritual activities: it might lead you to withdraw from engaging in your spiritual activities because you feel God does not care, neither does the body of Christ care about you, but it is harmful. So, when you feel withdrawn from your spiritual activities, such as constant reading of the Bible, going to church, praying, and preaching God’s word, look for ways to overcome this spirit of fear.
How To Overcome the Spirit of Fear
To overcome the spirit of fear, you have to get close to God and always pray. Below are most of the ways you can overcome the spirit of fear;
Make God Your Helper
There has never been a better helper than God and Jesus Christ. Take their advice. By following God’s Word, you can successfully overcome the spirit of fear and say, “God is my helper; I will not be afraid.” Proverbs 24:5-6 and Hebrews 13:6 encourage us to trust God and his mighty powers.
Accurate Knowledge of God’s Word
God’s Word is like a sword, and the understanding gained from it is like a suit of armor. In ancient days, when a soldier went out to fight, he required more than just a sword and armor; he also needed a shield. So since a Christian’s warfare is really “against the machinations of the Devil” and his “wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places,” the Bible advises you to “take up the complete suit of armor from God,” and, above all things, to “take up the large shield of faith, wicked one’s burning missiles to overcome the fear of any kind. It is this strong faith that will help you conquer; you need that kind of faith for the conquest of fear – Ephesians 6:11-17.
Earnest Prayer
Prayer and thankfulness allow us to put our fear before God and experience His peace beyond all comprehension. Philippians 4:6-7 – encourages us not to be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your heart desire to God. With earnest prayer, we can reconcile back to the perfect love of God, which will help overcome fear.
Positive Affirmation of God’s Love
God’s word states that there is power in the tongue. Therefore, when we declare positive words about our life from the Bible, it will help us overcome the spirit of fear and embrace the love of God for us – 1 John 4:18 – “There is no fear in love.” But pure love eliminates fear since fear is not one of the fruitages of the holy spirit. “The one who fears is not perfect in love.” As God’s children, we are called to abide in His love. When we completely understand the depth of His love for us, fear loses its power over us.
Reading and Meditating the Bible
Hebrews 4:12 states that the word of God is alive. So, reading and meditating on these words can revive your strength and eliminate the spirit of fear.
What Should You Do When Fear Grips You?
When fear grips you, remember to call God for help to overcome the spirit of fear. You will be amazed at how God cares about you by answering your prayer and restoring your strength to stand up and face your reality.
Does God Answer the Prayer of a Fearful Person?
Yes, when you are overwhelmed with fear of so many things in this world and approach God in prayer with your whole heart, He will listen to you. Because in Isaiah 41:10, He promised to help you. You are not alone.
Conclusion
FEAR has overwhelmed this generation. Everywhere, people are in fear. The fear of insecurity. The fear of going hungry. The fear of sickness. They are fearful of their neighbors. They are afraid of governments. They are fearful of conflict. They are fearful of information. They are afraid of fear itself. That is why, not long ago, Adlai Stevenson stated, “The tragedy of our day is the climate of fear in which we live.” But this is not the fruit of the holy spirit that God promised us. When we trust in God with all our hearts, we’ll be able to overcome the spirit of fear.
