Stand up to Fear

Throughout my life, fear has hunted and pursued me to the point that there were seasons when I could barely even leave the house.

As I’ve sought the Lord for freedom, I’ve experienced supernatural breakthrough and peace. But I’ve also experienced the slow, tedious, and painful process of healing and breakthrough. I’m a work in progress, and there are still areas I struggle deeply with.

We have to fight for peace. But thankfully, there is both hope and grace for the battle.

There is hope! Fear isn’t something you have to own or possess, nor does it define you. And there is grace too. Just because there is hope doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. It’s ok if your progress is slow. But you’re not a victim. In Jesus, you have a heritage of victory. You can fight the good fight of faith and stand up to fear!

Here are six keys God has given me to unlock the door to breakthrough in the battle against fear:

1. RECEIVE GOD’S LOVE

Perfect love casts out fear.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.” 1 John 4:18

We first receive God’s love when we choose to trust in Jesus. But beyond that, we have to be intentional to ponder His love and let Him love on us personally. We do that by meditating on Scripture, listening to music that focuses on His love, and asking Him to help us grasp His love. In Eph 3:18-19, Paul prays for the Ephesians in this way:

“[M]ay [you] have the power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge…”

We need God’s power to know His love personally.

2. RENEW YOUR MIND

Transformation from fearfulness to peacefulness requires changing our minds.

“[D]o not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Romans 12:2

We transform our minds by reading, memorizing, and meditating on Scripture as well as by taking our thoughts captive.

“[T]he weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 10:4-5

Fearful thoughts are negative speculations that are against God, so we need to take charge of them. Every thought in opposition to God has to be dealt with. This is why it’s crucial that we abstain from things that poison our minds and instead choose things that cleanse. What we watch, read, and listen to matters.

Taking thoughts captive includes asking God to reveal any lies we’re believing so that we can exchange those for the truth as well as actively using our imaginations for faith rather than fear.

3. REPENT OF SIN

Sin is in opposition to God and His design. The peace of God will be elusive if we are sinning willfully. Hebrews 12:11 describes righteousness as the “peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Living God’s way brings peace.

“This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.’” Isaiah 48:17-18

God’s commands are meant to benefit us. When we obey, we experience peace.

4. REST IN CHRIST

“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7

We rest by walking closely with Jesus and depending on Him. The Scripture calls this abiding:

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5

We can’t produce the fruit of peace unless we’re attached to the Prince of Peace. We can’t separate the process of healing from the person of Jesus Christ. Performing the rituals of breakthrough without an active relationship with Jesus will fall short.

As a way of life, let’s constantly talk to and listen to Jesus. We don’t have to do life alone! Let’s ask the Wonderful Counselor for wisdom and guidance. Let’s ask Him what He wants us to know and do. Let’s ask Him for strength and then rest in His care.

5. RELY ON OTHERS

From the very beginning, God acknowledged, “It is not good for man to be alone” (Gen 2:18). We were created for companionship as humans and as believers.

“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing full of love.” Ephesians 4:16

God’s design is that believers help each other grow. We are to give and receive from one another. This brings health to each part of Christ’s body. We are to “[b]ear one another’s burdens” (Gal 6:2), as well as to “admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone” (1 Thess 5:14). We are meant to do life together.

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16

Confessing to one another and praying for each other is powerful.

If you can’t seem to get a handle on fear and you’re not relying on others, this could be the key to your breakthrough. Ask God to provide you with safe people.

6. RESOLVE TO LOVE

When we live a life of love, God’s love is perfected in us.

“No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us…. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us…” 1 John 4:12, 16b-17a

Love is the ultimate answer to fear. When we love others, God’s love is perfected in us. And this perfect love casts out fear. Living within God’s intended design of love causes us to prosper.

Blessing:

You are loved, and in Jesus, you have authority to stand against fear. You have the Spirit of the living God inside of you. In Christ, you already have victory. Your success is sure. Resist fear and refuse to back down. If you fall down, get back up. Celebrate every step of faith and every win against fear, even if it seems insignificant. Don’t despise these small beginnings. The Lord rejoices to see the work begin! Take heart, stand up to fear, and fight the good fight of faith.

Kimberly Vaughn

Kimberly Vaughn is the executive director for The Connection. She is also the blog editor and a co-leader for their mentoring program, “Together.” She is a wife and a homeschool mom. Kimberly has been involved in various aspects of ministry since graduating from Bible college 20 years ago. She is passionate about sharing God’s wisdom and hope with others through the words she writes and speaks. She desires to inspire other believers to invest in one another through consistent, authentic relationships.