How do we overcome fear? Firstly, let us understand what fear is and where it comes from.
What is fear? Just like faith fear is a spiritual force. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Fear on the other hand is the substance of things not hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. Both are operating in the same spiritual law. However, one is the opposite of the other.
To better comprehend faith and fear, we must come to understand the platforms from which these forces operate. As the world system operates by selfishness, fear therefore can only stand on a platform of selfishness.
However the Kingdom of God operates is by love, and obviously faith also works by love, for it is love that forms the foundation for faith. 1 John chapter 4 verse 18. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
How do we get rid of fear? We must confront any areas of selfishness in our lives. Even a fear of heights or of danger is tied to selfishness. I know personally that I’m not fond of heights, however I’m working on that fear. When we are in a sour situation, afraid for our safety, it is like a switch in the spirit is turned on and signals a self-preservation mechanism. When we are concerned with preserving ourselves, essentially, we’ve crowned ourselves god and have totally rejected the divine protection of God. In this occurrence, we actually connect ourselves to the thing we fear.
How blessed are we that God has given us direct access to every spiritual blessing in Heaven, from our relationships, finances, protection and so on. We have nothing to fear!
If we are ever afraid of something, we can have full confidence that it is coming from Satan, as fear is foreign to God. The Spirit of a born-again Christian does not produce fear, so if we experience this, it is a clear attack of the enemy against us. The enemy’s objective is to introduce fear into our minds to then make its way to our spirit. 2 Timothy chapter 1 verse 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Let us ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts for any areas of fear and deal with them immediately. Search for a scripture that relates to the thing you are afraid of, meditate on it day and night, continually confessing it. When we walk in love toward others, the love of God comes in and drives out the fear from our hearts and minds. When we position ourselves in perfect love, selfishness is destroyed and fear has no place! We do not have to be in bondage (thank you Jesus); as a Believer, God has given us dominion.
Let us go back in time and remember the Israelites. They were fearful upon entering the promised land, but once they put their full trust in the Lord their God, it wasn’t in their power but in God’s as He made a way for his people just as He promised He would. If we don’t lay out those stepping stones when we are in the process, how will we come to trust in the knowledge that God’s plan for us far outweighs our fleshly emotions?
Psalm chapter 27 verse 1 - The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Elizabeth Josic is a Press Service International young writer from Brisbane (and from the USA).
Elizabeth Josic's archive of articles can be viewed at https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/elizabeth-josic.html