The Seven Days to Overcoming Fear

All of us from time to time will struggle with fear. Christians who say they never struggle with fear, will also share other falsehoods with you. Leading Christian Psychologists tell us there are different levels of fear. I suppose the greatest fear is pantaphobia; the fear of fear. If we are not careful, we can get sucked into a vortex of fear that pulls us downward each day. A friend of mine once told me, “Fear will take from you whatever you choose to give it.”

 Yet, we do not have to live with the spirit of fear throughout our lives. Some Believes have been living with certain fears since their childhood and they have developed strongholds in their lives.I would like to suggest for the next seven days for you to ponder and pray over Isaiah 41:10. We read:

Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

With these words in mind, I would like to suggest that Isaiah 41:10 can help us with the fears confronting our lives. In the next seven days, you can begin to move from fear to faith, from worry to winsome.

Sunday: “Do Not Fear” Overcoming Dismal Fear

Isaiah comes right out to say, “Do not Fear. “At one time or another every one of us have been gripped by fear. Yet, God commands us not to be afraid. In a roundabout way, fear is a slight form of atheism. God can banish our fears, with the command that comes with His enabling.

Have you ever noticed how frequently God tells us not to be afraid, in the Bible? The constant repetition should be all the proof we need that He wants to set us free from our fears, and that He can do it! He can free you from fear as He did the psalmist, who said, “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” (Ps.34:4)

Monday: “For I am with you…”  Overcoming Desolate Fear

This is why we need not fear: The Lord is with us! “Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Ps. 23:4) Why? “…for you are with me…” Because the Lord Jesus Himself is with me on Sunday, or better still on Monday, fear just has to go; fear is banished.

I am grateful to know that Sunday’s blessing flows into Monday! Jesus said, “…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” (Heb.13:5-6) When you think about it – if the Lord Himself really is with you, how can you remain fearful? The realized presence of Christ is the secret of release from fear.

Tuesday: “…Be not anxiously look around you…” Overcoming Desperate Fear

To be dismayed is to be discouraged. Discouragement is one of the prevailing problems of today. Discouragement and “the spirit of fear” always comes from the Devil, whose aim is to get us down and keep us down. Yet, God reaches down from heaven, as it were, and says to us, ‘Don’t be discouraged! Don’t lose heart!’

In 1 Samuel 30:6 where we read this:

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”

David was greatly distressed. But, he encouraged himself in the Lord his God. He went to the Lord personally (v8) and was encouraged. Maybe you are discouraged today. If so, listen to God’s Word to you: …Be not dismayed! Go to the Lord personally for a word of encouragement.

Wednesday: “…For I am your God…”  Overcoming Despairing Fear

If God, the Almighty One, is our God, and if He is with us, doesn’t it put all our fears and problems into a new perspective? I am your God: If you are bruised and battered, or even if you have been broken in the trials and testings of life, take this word from the Lord right now and realize how personal it is! We should say to Him, ‘Thank You, Lord, for this word! I accept it from You; I take it now as your word just to me!’

The important thing to notice is it is not the believer who is saying to the Lord, “Lord, You are mine.” But, it is the Lord saying to the believer, ‘I am yours!’ So, however fearful or uncertain you may feel, if you are a Christian He gives you this firm assurance – He says, “I am your God!

Thursday: “…I will strengthen you…”  Overcoming Depressing Fear

The Lord is our support when we are facing the demands of ordinary everyday living. He gives His gracious and wonderful enabling grace. He told the Apostle Paul, “…My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Cor.12:9)

God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. This was Paul’s testimony. He could say, “…for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Cor. 12:10b) Do you feel weak? He will strengthen you!

Friday: “…I will help you…” Overcoming Dreadful Fear

In Romans 8:26, we read:

“Likewise, the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Rom 8:26)

I know the immediate reference is to prayer, but we must not confine the application to prayer alone. The fact is, we are weak and strengthless in ourselves, but the Lord comes alongside us to strengthen us. The Holy Spirit, will help us.

Well, the Lord is with you right now to help you, and He will do just that if you will give your whole situation and your whole anxiety over to Him.

Saturday: “…I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.”  Overcoming Defenseless Fear

Can we say that we are absolutely safe for time and eternity? Some might say that would be presumptuous? No, it is not presumptuous, for MY GOD is holding us and He is upholding us!

How completely safe and secure are we? Absolutely safe and secure! “He hides my soul in the cleft of the Rock and covers me there with His hand.”

Someone has said, FEAR stands for False Evidence Appearing Real. When someone ask you the next time, how you are doing?, say, “Incredible! I seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. I do not fight for victory, but from victory.” Our Lord specializes in melting the icy fingers of fear that have gripped your mind, spirit and soul.

I look forward to seeing you in the winning circle. Let’s run race together to the finish line.