“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 encourage insecurity. Here are some ways to rise above fear and live in faith.
Starve what feeds your fear. Consider limiting what you read, watch, or hear that spurs 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.
Make knowing God and His character your lifelong pursuit. The more I know God experientially, the easier it is to trust him. 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. Oswald Chambers wrote, “Worry is an indication that we think God cannot look after us.” 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 pretend they are not there, which only enlarges them in our minds, intensifying our captivity.
Become more intimate with God. “...perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).
Tell yourself the truth and cast down vain imaginations with the Word of God (2 Corinthians 10:5). Store Scripture within your hearts and replace the lies that create fear with His truth.
Lastly, give God thanks in all circumstances (I Thessalonians 5:18). When you trust God's sovereignty, humility is released. As you apply these truths, fear will be resisted while peace and faith reign 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?
Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay
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