“Anxiety is the natural result when our hopes are centered on anything short of God.”
Billy Graham
Anxiety is on the increase and the times we live in today encourages insecurity. So how can we rise above our fear and live a life full of faith? Try the following suggestions:
Starve what feeds your fear. Consider limiting what you read, watch or hear that spurs on more fear. Fear gets stronger when we feed it.
Spend time in God’s Presence, knowing He is always with us. Isaiah 41:10a says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” When I sit still and listen to God’s voice or spend time soaking with the Lord, peace is restored. Oswald Chambers writes: “The only way to remove the fear from our lives is to listen to God’s assurance to us.”
Make knowing God and His character your life long pursuit. The more I know God experientially, the easier it is to trust Him. When I’m fearful, I’ll declare God’s names out loud. My faith is built when my focus is on Him and His abilities.
Face your fears. Embrace them. The enemy wants us to flee our fears and to pretend they are not there, which only enlarges them in our mind, intensifying our captivity. God wants us to face them head on with Him, for He knows that’s where freedom is found. The very things I’ve feared, have become the biggest blessings.
Become more intimate with God. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” (I John 4:18) There is no telling what I will do for the One I love, as my love for God deepens and I have greater revelation of His unconditional love for me.
Understand your identity in Christ. When we know our Father is good and He has our best interest at heart, we can rest in the fact that our heavenly Daddy knows what’s best for us. “Worry is an indication that we think God cannot look after us.” (Oswald Chambers)
Tell yourself the truth and cast down vain imaginations with the Word of God. “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (II Corinthians 10:5) We need to store Scripture within our hearts and replace the lies that make us fearful with His truth. June Hunt writes, “Fear is in the mind of the beholder. Our thinking must be conquered before our fear can be quelled. Focus on your fear and your panic will increase. Focus on your Shepherd, and your heart will be at peace.”
Give God thanks in all circumstances. (I Thessalonians 5:18) When you place your trust in the sovereignty of God, humility is released. As you apply these truths, fear will be resisted while peace and faith reigns within your heart.
“The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith; the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.”
George Mueller
Relevant Reflection:
Which of these principles do you need to apply to your life?