Overcoming Fear

I wish there was a simple remedy to overcoming fear. I am someone who has struggled with fear for as long as I can remember.

What is fear?

The Oxford definition of fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or a threat. Similar words are worry, anxiety and nervousness.

My road to Overcoming fear

I’ve got to be honest with you, I am still an anxious person. I have memories as early as elementary school when I was struggling with chronic anxiety.

Let me be clear, I am not offering medical advice nor do I have a degree in psychology. There are different types of anxiety disorders. I was professionally diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. At one point, I diagnosed myself with obsessive compulsive disorder.

If there’s one thing I hate more than anything, it’s anxiety and the effects it has on one’s life. If you have dealt with anxiety then you know exactly what I’m talking about.

I’ve had more days than I can count, stolen from me by fear & anxiety.

I can thankfully share with you that anxiety does not have power over me as it once did. I do still get anxiety, but the frequency and duration has drastically improved.

Unfortunately, the road getting here, has been a lifetime. I’ve tried books, breathing exercises, yoga, prescriptions and therapy, but ultimately my triumph over anxiety is from the renewing of my mind.

Impact that fear has on our body

It’s important to educate ourselves on how the stress response impairs our health. There is a psychological and physical effect when fear, worry, anxiety, stress and nervousness are activated in our brain.

When we live in a chronic state of fear, stress hormones are constantly being released into our system. In the short term, that’s not a bad thing, but chronic stress puts your health at risk. Our bodies were not designed to function this way. Stress hormones affect these specific systems in our body:

• Immune system
• Nervous system
• Digestive system
• Musculoskeletal system
• Respiratory system
• Cardiovascular system
• Endocrine system
• Reproductive system

Do you always feel sick? Do you suffer from muscle tension pain, headaches, fatigue, irritability, unable to focus, stomach problems, accelerated heart rate, chest pain? These are just a few health related issues I have experienced due to stress.

Are you living a chronic fear based life? If so, I can relate to you. I’d also like to share with you how I’ve overcome chronic fear.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will learn to know God’s will for you. Romans 12:2

Did you know that the bible tells us to “fear not” 365 times? Coincidentally there’s 365 days in a year. God is not a God of coincidence 🙂

It is not God’s will for us to live in perpetual fear. For me, anxiety is rooted in not being in control. There’s a lot that I’m not in control of. I can’t control uncertainty, but I can control my reaction to it.

When I finally realized my anxiety was something I could control, I made the decision to take my life back. Tho, I couldn’t do it alone. God’s Word holds every truth to overcoming fear through spiritual discipline.

I’m doing it and I know you can too. God doesn’t will for us what is not attainable.

Click here for free Fear Not Verse Printable. Keep these scriptures with you to meditate on and when anxiety strikes, you’ll have these in your memory bank to cling to <3

4 Ways to Overcome fear with God

#1 Study God’s Word. Through the study of the bible, you get to know Him and understand His will for you.

#2 Meditation of the scriptures. As you memorize the scriptures, they will be readily available to you in your time of need. The scriptures will also become your new ways of living.

#3 Pray, Sister. Through prayer you will develop a personal relationship with Jesus and God, your Father. Just as you foster other important relationships in your life, this is the same way.

#4 Have faith and trust Him.

Whatever you feed your mind the most, will be strongest in your life. If I feed into my fears through repetitive thoughts then my anxiety will rule my mind. If I feed into God’s promises and power over my fears, then my faith will rule my mind. It’s truly a choice.

If reading the bible sounds intimidating for you, it once did for me too. I’d encourage you to read this next post on why you should read the bible.

Scriptures on overcoming fear

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10

For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand,
Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ Isaiah 41:13

Whenever I am afraid,
I will trust in You. Psalm 56:3

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

I hope this post has encouraged you 🙂 If you know someone you think it could encourage, please share it with them! I’d love to hear from you, comment below!

Next post related to fear: Digging Deeper into the Serenity Prayer.