For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, and of power and of a sound mind 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
Like you, I have my own fair share of fears, insecurities and anxieties. When I first heard of COVID-19 spreading across the world at an alarming rate, my fears surrounding the loss of my family rose up like a mammoth. Panic set in. Truthfully, my mind started to race a few hundred miles per second thinking up a coping strategy. How do I live? How do I keep my boys sheltered? Will we get through this? I don’t want to die! EEEEEEEKKKKKKK!
But God! There is always a… But God. He calmed me down and reminded me of truth, reality and His perspective. He began to empower me and give me peace.
I love that God is an empowering, peace-giving and unconditionally loving ally, friend, and God. In a time where a spirit of fear seems to hold the world in its grasp, we serve the Almighty Yahweh who is the Prince of Peace.
But the fear, anxiety, and panic desperately reaching and grasping all our hearts feels so real and true. How do we fight this fear and live in peace?
Fight fear with faith
I want to propose to you that fear is more than psychological, wounds/hurts, or even trauma. Fear is a spirit (see 2 Timothy 1:7). It presents to you its thoughts and viewpoints, often in the form of your own thoughts. Fear will often use mine and your hurts, wounds, insecurities, etc….as hooks to get us to take on its (fears) thoughts as our own.
When we believe those thoughts we give the spirit of fear permission to harass us. Fortunately, we have the Holy Spirit and Jesus with us. We have the power because of Jesus to command fear to leave us in the name of Jesus. Fear has to obey.
Take care of your heart
During this time of global lockdown, take time to spend with God and take care of your heart.
- What does your heart look like?
- What is hurting?
- Is there bitterness, jealousy, anger, envy, pain, etc…?
- Are there bad habits you are struggling to get free from?
If you need help taking care of your heart with God, book a FREE call with me and together we can partner with God to bring you into increased freedom, joy, and peace.
Watch what you look at
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8
While we need to remain informed during this time, I want to encourage you to think about what your eyes are looking at. How much negativity, fear mongering, and “bad reports” are coming at you from newspapers, conversations, social media, internet browsing, etc.?
If these things are adding to your anxiety, fear, worry, and insecurities, I suggest minimizing your daily exposure to them. Instead take Philippians 4:8 to heart by trying the following:
- Read the Bible more – try creative journaling Bibles, bible journaling, bible study, or audio Bibles
- Listen to praise and worship
- Read or participate in online courses that will encourage you in your gifts or add value to your life.
- Say no to Fear and allow the Holy Spirit to help you renew your mind – have Scripture cards around your house for you to read
- Watch TV programs or films that encourage you to laugh great big belly laughs.
Tell me in the comments other ideas we can use to keep our minds off fear and practice Philippians 4:8
Cultivate gratitude and pray
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Gratitude and prayer are so easily entertwined. As you and I lift our voices in thanksgiving, we see all the good and kindness God has brought into our lives. This causes our eyes to fix on Him. Our prayers transform from fear driven prayers to faith-full prayers. Now we see through God’s eyes and hope rushes in. His perspective and purposes become clearer.
The more we pray, the closer to God we get. The more gratitude flows out of our mouths, the more prepared our hearts become to receive what God plans to pour out into our lives both now and in the next few months.
