How to Overcome Fear: In today’s Morning Light, Prophets Russ and Kitty share on how to overcome fear. There are many fears that plague people from time to time. It may be fear of flying, fear of spiders, or a new phobia – fear of not having any toilet paper! Russ and Kitty show from the word of God that fear is a spirit and can be overcome following practical guidance from God’s word.
Introduction:
What is the origin of the word pandemic? The Who and the CDC have declared that we are in a pandemic with the worldwide spread of the COVID-19 virus. The impact of the virus in the United States has only affected about 4500 people with about 81 deaths. The impact of the panic associated with the COVID-19 situation is another, much further reaching situation.
The word pandemic and panic both come from the Greek word pandemus which originates with the Greek Pan. Was Pan a real thing? The early church believed that the Greek and Roman gods and mythology were actually the worship of demons. The myths are not real but the demons that inspired them are real. Why is that important to know?
2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind…”
Fear is not just a human thing it is a spiritual thing and according to Paul in his writing to Timothy, fear is a demonic spirit. How does it help us to know this? It is helpful to know this because it gives us a strategy for dealing with the panic all around us. If fear is a spirit that originates in hell then what does the Bible tell us about such things?
[Jas 4:7 KJV] 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
How do we resist the devil? The original language word for “resist” in this verse means to: “to actively set oneself against, to withstand resist, oppose…”
Part of Resisting Fear is to Know Our Enemy:
There are many different kinds of fear that the mind sciences call “phobias.” The word phobia comes from the word “phantasm” which points to something that is not grounded in fact. People have many fears: Fear of heights, fear of spiders, fear of snakes, fear of dying, fear of public speaking, fear of rejection, fear of clowns, The list of phobias is endless.
The dictionary defines phobia as:
“An exaggerated, usually inexplicable and illogical, fear of a particular object, class of objects or situation.”
That certainly speaks to the situation with COVID-19. At this point in the US the impact has been infinitesimal compared to the H1N1 pandemic of 2009 that was much worse and didn’t produce anywhere near the widespread fear that we see today. Why are people responding this way? Because fears have no logical reasoning behind them, nor do they serve a purpose. The world says that fear is useful and that we need to be afraid. What does God’s word say? According to God, fear is:
A tormentor (1 John 4:18)
A spirit that doesn’t belong to you (2 Timothy 1:7)
The opposite of faith, without which we cannot please God (Hebrews 11:6).
If you are struggling with fear – let’s remember that when God sent Jesus into the earth He destroy the power of death, hell and the grave and the fear they bring. Let me tell you a very interesting story.
In the Roman Empire near the coast of ancient Italy history tells us that a sailor named Thamos was approaching the island of Paxi and heard a supernatural voice shouting to him that the god “Pan” was dead. This was recorded by the historian Plutarch. What is compelling about this story is that it happened under the reign of the emperor Tiberias about the time of the birth of Jesus. Early Christian theologians caught hold of this as signifying the victory of Christ over fear, panic and all the works of the enemy, due to the fact that Jesus was born at the time the voice was heard. What does this mean to us?
By the work of Calvary you have already been delivered from fear. Whenever you feel afraid remember Jesus bore that fear for you the same day He bore your sin, sicknesses and diseases.
It’s time to stop being scared! Let’s go over some practical ways to overcome fear that we can be put into practice to achieve the greatest peace, joy and victory you’ve ever known.
- Watch What You’re Watching. Franklin Roosevelt had it right when he said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
Fear doesn’t prevent bad things from happening—it is often the cause.
- Acknowledge the Author of Fear. To win the battle and overcome fear, you must acknowledge that it isn’t natural or healthy, but a strategy of the enemy against you. Satan is the author of fear. The sooner you recognize this, the sooner you can kick it to the curb.
Fear is never for you—its always against you. It has NEVER helped anyone but instead causes us harm Psalm 37:8 tells us the following:
Psa. 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.
Whenever you start to feel any type of fear, remember where it comes from. It will help you know what to do.
- Refuse to Fear
When you know the source of fear, you know how to resist it.
Can you really make a choice not to feel something? Absolutely. Please say they can’t help what they feel but feelings are based on what you are meditating on and thinking about. You can’t directly change feelings but you can change your mind. Like a race car your mind can stop on a dime. You emotions are more like a loaded 18 wheeler tractor trailer in the song “Give me 40 acres and I’ll turn this rig around.”
Don’t let emotions be in the driver’s seat of your life or your decisions! You can choose to love, choose to forgive and choose to live a life free of fear.
When you refuse to fear (resist the spirit of fear), it brings freedom and peace, and shuts the door on what the devil has planned on your life. Whenever a fearful thought tries to creep in, be quick in your response. Say, “No. I refuse to fear.”
- Talk Back to Your Fears
You have to learn to talk back to the devil. When Jesus was tempted, every time He answered with God’s word. If you don’t have God’s word in you then you won’t be able to answer. Jesus taught us to talk to the mountains in our lives. What are you saying to your mountain?
When the devil feeds fearful thoughts to your mind, what is your response? The devil works through thoughts. Remember you don’t fight thoughts with thoughts. You fight thoughts with words – specifically the word of God.
When Satan tried to tempt Jesus, He didn’t try to outthink the devil. He took authority over him with His words. You need to do the same. When a fearful thought comes, respond immediately, out loud, with the Word of God.
- Face Your Fears
One way to show the devil you have no intention of accepting his assignment of fear in your life is to face your fear. Tammy Faye Bakker wrote a book titled “Run to the Roar.” Don’t be afraid to go get your groceries. You don’t have to be ridiculous about it but don’t let the enemy run a head game on you. Don’t accept fear in your life. Rebuke it and face it if the situation allows. Let the devil know he won’t be putting any fear on you!
- Cast Your Cares
One of the most helpful anti-fear tactics is casting your cares. I’m so glad that Peter said in 1 Peteer 5:7:
[1Pe 5:7 KJV] 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
That word casting means to “roll over against.” It’s like bowling. Like you cast or roll a bowling ball down the lanes to take out the pins, you are casting your care on the Lord and taking out the devil!
What are your fears? Fear of sickness? Fear of COVID-19? Fear of a financial deficit? Fear of losing a relationship? Fear of losing a job?
Whatever your fears, they don’t belong to you. Psalm 55:22 tells us if we give our cares to the Lord instead of keeping them ourselves, He will take care of them for us:
Psa. 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
What happens if we don’t cast our care on the Lord? If we insist on holding tightly to every care, concern, worry or fear, it blocks God from moving on our behalf. We can go free of fear when you cast your cares on Him. Don’t just say you’re turning them over, then turn right around and start worrying again. Kitty says you can’t have 99% faith you have to have 100% faith. Give your fears to the Lord—and leave them there.
- Don’t Let the Fearful Bend Your Ear. Without knowing it, most people live in fear and negativity. And they talk it. A lot. This is where you’ll need to make some decisions. You don’t necessarily have to cut people out of your life, but you’ll want to limit your time spent with those who are a constant stream of fear and doubt.
You may think their fear and negativity won’t affect you, but what you stream into your eyes and ears becomes fuel for your mind, just as what you put in your body becomes fuel for it—whether healthy or damaging. So don’t let the fearful bend your ear—spend time with people who are positive and faith-filled. It will bring great change to your life and keep you free of the damages of fear.
So, are you ready to stop being scared? As you put these practical guidelines into practice, you’ll find yourself developing a new, faith-filled habit of walking in perfect peace. You don’t need to fear anything in this life! Jesus is for you, with you, protecting you, guiding you and blessing you every day. Have faith in God—it’s the only way to live a long and happy life!
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