Evicting Fear From Your Life

What do you fear? Is it one little thing? Is it a big thing? Is it a whole lot of things? How active is fear in your life? Is it something that pops up every once in a while? Or is it a big, ugly monster who has a firm grip on your life and has taken control of your heart and your mind? I recently came face-to-face with fear’s control of my thoughts, emotions, and actions. I don’t consider myself to be ruled by fear or to be a fearful person at all. But I recently answered one of those hard questions that makes you have to really dig deep and face some emotional, internal stuff. Ugh! Darn you, Priscilla Shirer for asking me the hard questions and making me deal with the sticky stuff.

God must have thought this was a pretty important topic! The word “fear” is found in the King James Version of The Bible 385 times. Even more telling, the most repeated command in God’s Word is “Fear not!” which is stated 144 times. It’s evident we’re not the only ones who have ever battled fear before.

I mentioned that Priscilla had asked a hard question that made me realize I’m not as fearless as I thought. At the beginning of the Shield of Faith week her study, Armor of God, Priscilla asks participants to make a list of any areas where we sense God asking us to take a step of faith. Throughout that week, Priscilla guided me through questions relating to these areas. At the end of the week, she posed what I thought would be a fairly simple task for me to complete: Write down my fears.

I referred back to the “step of faith” questions she posed at the beginning of the week and I started jotting down my list of fears. I wrote down a few, then added some more, then a few more… then I ran out of room. I felt a tear well up and slide down my cheek, followed by another. Priscilla didn’t give me enough room in her study book for all my fears. But wait a minute! I’m not a fearful person. I chase after peace and I know God is in control. Right? I’ve got it all together! Right??? Ummm... no! I absolutely do not. I was overwhelmed with the abrupt and sobering reality that fear had taken up quite a bit of real estate in my heart and mind.

I couldn’t shake this realization. I had no idea I had harbored so many fears in areas God is calling me. When I listed the fears out, taking up all the room underneath the question and all the white space in the margins, I realized I had created a playground for Satan. I could immediately look back and see specific words spoken by others, situations I’d experienced, and thoughts in my mind that played right into Satan’s schemes to separate me from God and distract me from His plan.

What follows are the comebacks- the responses to each of these fear. Some of the fears I listed may be something you’ve never encountered, but I have a feeling there are some that are very real, very present, and very toxic in your life. I ended up taking each fear and looking up scripture to help me tackle it. Since having this revelation, I’ve also heard and thought of several songs that are spot on in the fight against fear. Jesus is sweet like that to give us the perfect songs right when we need them. I’m going to share those songs with you as well. They’re just bonus material. You can take ‘em or leave ‘em. But I’m going to tell you like I tell my husband, “I want you to really listen to the words.” See if you can relate to any of these fears.

Fear #1: Fear of Not Being Enough

“Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:5

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

Fear #2: Fear of Not Being Liked

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,” Ephesians 6:7

Fear #3: Fear of Not Fulfilling a Calling Well

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:!3

“I’ve commanded you to be brave and strong, haven’t I? Don’t be alarmed or terrified, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

Fear #4: Fear of Not Being Enough for My Family and Friends

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Fear #5: Fear of the Time and Effort Required

“A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” Proverbs 13:4

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” Colossians 3:23

Fear #6: Fear of Losing Time with the Lord

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” Romans 10:13

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Do any of these fears resonate with you? I had no idea I had such an internal battle- a battle that I have been losing because of my lack of acknowledgment. Now I know. I’m aware of the fears I have and the areas Satan uses to sneak in and attack. I had been leaving the door wide open for him to come right on in and fuel the fire of my fears. Have you been doing the same?

I have my battle plan. I will continue to acknowledge my fears. I will find scripture to fight those fears. And I will work to memorize scripture so that fear won’t own me. And when I’m finished, I’ll start over again, looking to see if any new fears have tiptoed in.

I’d like to tell you I’m fearless. I’d like to say I pursue peace and am ruled by it. But the truth is, fear sneaks in and takes up residence without me even knowing. I won’t let fear get in between me and the abundant life God has promised. I won’t let fear distract me from answering His call. I will acknowledge fear for the liar he is and will evict him from my mind. (I may need to enlist one or two of you to send me a wake-up call each morning to remind me of this confident, tail-kickin’ rant.) What are your fears? Try the battle plan!

1. Write down your fears… all of them.

2. Find a verse or several verses that will help you fight off those fears.

3. Pick a verse at a time to memorize and apply.

4. Then, every once in a while, repeat steps 1-3.

Try it! It really is freeing. As Psalm 34:4 attests, “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” Let’s stop being a slave to our fears.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6