When thinking about the title of this blog, I couldn’t help but use my “teacher brain” and approach this as an issue in need of a solution. In this case, fear is the problem and we need strategies to remove it. Fear has been a part of the human condition for so long, yet do we recognize it when it shows up in our lives? Do we recognize fear as the burglar that has broken into our home, or are we oblivious to the fact that he’s already made himself at home, and wreaking havoc in our minds? Would you allow a burglar to come right through your front door without a fight? Then, why do we allow these things to happen to us spiritually? Stop being okay with fear living in the house that is your mind! Many people label fear as “worry”, or “anxiety”, but just because you give it a new name or give the burglar a “new mask” does not negate the fact that it is an enemy of your peace. 40 million people in the U.S. alone are affected by fear. Fear is the enemy’s #1 scare tactic and weapon of choice, so we need to start treating it like one. Our enemy prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The enemy is very strategic in the way he approaches us. He never does anything haphazardly and does not take a day off. So, neither should we. If the adversary has a strategic plan for our thought life, then we should, too. We must be able to recognize when his plan of fear is in motion. Here’s are three ways to recognize it:
1. Acknowledge the fear
It’s time to give fear a reality check. Let us stop labeling fear as “anxiety” and call it by its name: FEAR. When you call it out by its name, it sets off the alarm system in your brain. When you call it by the world’s watered-down version of it, you normalize the spirit of fear. And the last time I checked, God said that He does NOT give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) I don’t know about you, but if God didn’t give it to me, then I don’t want it.
2. Recognize the language of fear
Yes, fear does have a language with an objective. Fear’s objective is to cause you to abandon peace and believe the lies. Some examples of this language are, “I may not make it. I’m going to lose everything. I can’t take this anymore. I may not live to see next year. I will always be alone.” It also chants these lies loudly, but we know that just because a lie is shouted, it does not make it true. Stop accepting these lies as your own. So, when you hear these lies in your head, begin to counter them with God’s Word. The truth is the Word of God. This is the sword that we fight the burglar of fear back with (Ephesians 6:17).
3. Know the crucial times of attack
Fear will usually attack when we are the most vulnerable in our minds or when we are going through an intoxicating situation. Fear will also hit you in times of loneliness and idleness. If you know this, then when you do find yourself in one of these momentary ruts and those fearful whispers begin to descend into your thoughts, you can quickly boot them out. Give them no room! Snap back into combat mode and recognize the thief for who he really is. Don’t become deceived in your low moments and accept whatever lies the enemy has dished up for you.
These strategies are now part of your playbook. These strategies will equip you for battle when fear tries to assault you. As believers, we always have the advantage and are always one step ahead. God has caused us to win by giving us the power, knowledge, and authority to be victorious!
Original post date: 3/25/2020
Edited: 9/26/2024
