Overcoming Fear and Anxiety
Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you: Be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the power of my righteousness and authority.
Has fear caused us anxiety? Or anxiety caused us to fear? Our Lord has stated that the spirit which we carry on the inside of us, even his precious breath, that he has breathed within our entire being - is a powerful spirit of love, that resides in soundness and strength of mind, within us. (2Tim: 1:7)
Jesus sees us as mighty conquerors, (Rom: 8: 37) whereby his pure blood has been provided on our behalf. We are known by him and have been seen of him to be overcomers (Rev: 12:11). Thus, fear really fears us, and we are anxiety’s anxiety. We don’t just conquer or overcome fear or difficulties, but we are victorious over them through the power of God’s love within us. (1 John 4:16,18)
In the face of adversity, it still stands true, that Jesus has gone before us and conquered every enemy, including fear and anxiety. These no longer have the power to conquer us, because the Lord, conquered them all, when he resurrected to become our newness of life. When Jesus did this, he resurrected us with him, whereby fear, really fears us, and we are anxiety’s anxiety. How? Because God has seated us in Christ Jesus in heavenly places, far above all fear and anxiety, (Ephs: 2:6) and every other entity of evil that may look to overcome or conquer us, for he has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Jesus. But with each one of us, being aware of the wiles (tactics) of Satan the evil one, which are summed up in two words – lies and deceit, we have the holy armour of God as our sustenance, and the mind of Christ in us, as our strength. Whereby, we take to ourselves, the whole armour of God to withstand the evil, and then having done all we stand; (Eph 6:11-18) and the Lord will fight for us, and give us his peace. (Ex. 14:14)
The Lord is our rock and our salvation, whom shall we fear? Of whom shall we be afraid?
Anxiety comes disguised in a lie to paint a false picture and its partner is fear. Fear comes to steal and destroy. It is the enemy of peace and a hater of faith and victory; but us as sons and daughters of the most high God are victorious over fear in Christ Jesus, through the blood of Christ. In the minute and the hour of our anxiety, our fear, there comes a calling, a knocking on our hearts, an appeal in the midst of it all, that says:
I am with you, I am here, I never leave you, remember that I am here with you. In your fear and anxiety I will overshadow you. Trust that I am with you, I will protect you, I will keep you. I go before you, yet I surround you in all of your paths. I am for you, I am not against you, I am a part of you and you are a part of me. You are my beloved. (Ephs 1:5,6)
Many prophets and chosen of God within the bible experienced fear, because fear is a subtle weapon of the evil one (Satan); but greater is Christ who is in us than the evil one who is in this world. (1 John 4:4)
The prophet Jeremiah experienced fear. He feared that he was just a youth, too young to be the Lord’s spokesman, to speak whatever the Lord commanded him, but God assured Jeremiah that he would be protected and delivered from fear and the anxiety that accompanies it.
King David reacted out of fear, when he realised that Bathsheba was with child, that was not her husband’s but rather was David’s child. Her husband being away fighting battle in David’s army. In fear and the torment of anxiety, that gripped his heart, David ordered that Bathsheba’s husband be put on the frontline of battle, where he was killed.
Elijah the prophet experienced great fear and anxiety. He ran for fear of Jezebel’s threats to take his life.
Gideon was fearful and filled with anxiety when it came to overtaking the Midianites, fearful that he would lose his life. So did 31,700 of his solders return home, rather than to go into battle because they were fearful, leaving Gideon with an army of only 300 fearless and prepared men of valour. Yet they were victorious, through God’s decisive plan. Peter experienced fear and within his hour of anxiety denied the Lord three times. Each experience of fear was accompanied by anxiety.
Of Course, overcoming fear becomes a process for every believer, as we grow to become more like our Lord and saviour, the Lord of hosts, in our every day lives. He watches over us, and teaches us with a heart of love, even as we watch over, protect, love, care for and teach our children, until they grow, and have the ability to stand strong. Even so, God wants to do the same for us.
During the process, fear will surface, and anxiety may try to overwhelm us; but the blood of the Lamb restores us and the life of Christ prevails in us, for us, and through us. There is a joy that is set before us, even as there was a joy that was set before Jesus, when he looked far into the future and beheld us. Free from fear, and carrying the fullness of his glory. He has seen it so this determines, that we are those who overcome fear and anxiety, through Jesus Christ our Lord.. Amen
Blessings♡D