Just two weeks after we took my eldest son 1500 miles away to college, news and weather reports warned of an impending hurricane, a couple days from hitting the United States. During a time when we had anticipated hearing from him about classes and new friends, we were instead trying to make safe evacuation plans while continuously monitoring forecasts.

Nothing will make a mother more worried, fearful, or anxious than the welfare of our children. Unfortunately, our young children observe much more than we give them credit for. If we don’t learn how to effectively fight fearful thoughts, our children may learn to be anxious. No mother wants to be the cause of their child’s anxiety, but rather, a safe haven for them to find shelter.

We may even know in our heart that God loves us and cares for us, but we all have those times when our mind runs away with stressful thoughts and scenes that play out in our minds prompting fear.

Hundreds of times Scripture command us to “fear not,” “be anxious for nothing,” and to “not worry about tomorrow.” I suspect God repeated these commands so often because He knew it would be a fierce battle for us but not in our best interest to entertain.

So the question remains…

How do we fight fearful, anxious, or worrisome thoughts and win?

1) Recognize the real source of fear.

Ephesians 6:12-13 explains, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

Worry, fear, and anxiety do not come from God. Scripture is clear on that! “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7KJV).

Once we’ve recognized the real source of our fear, then we use the tools in our tool belt {the armor of God} and fight against the real enemy.

2) Be vigilant and stay alert.

In the day to day busyness, it can be easy to have thoughts and let them run amuck, which is akin to leaving our front door unlocked for a thief. In order to effectively fight and win against worry, fear, and anxiety, we have to pay attention to our thoughts.

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8).

Our emotions are the outward manifestation of the thoughts we believe. So our emotions can give us some hints of the thoughts we’ve been listening to and believing.

3) Pay attention to thoughts and determine if they are from God or our soul’s enemy.

Our enemy attacks us in our thoughts, so we must intentionally pay attention to them to determine if they come from God or the enemy of our soul.

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Practically speaking that means spend time learning what God’s word says and meditate upon it.

4) Recognize those fearful thoughts are not your thoughts.

Fearful thoughts come to you from the enemy. When we feel anxious, it’s because we’ve been believing thoughts that make us feel anxious. Speak out against the thoughts that agree with those feelings. Instead of acting upon those feelings, refute them and speak back to them.

If you start feeling afraid or anxious, say something out loud like, “No! I will not be afraid! I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. God says to cast all my cares on Him because HE cares for me. Instead of being afraid, I will put my trust in God.” When you repeatedly refute them and speak back to those feelings, they will begin to line up with the words you are speaking.

5) Stand on key scripture and the promises in God’s word that refute the lies of the enemy.

Consider writing Scripture on notes and place them where you will see them: the refrigerator, the dashboard in your car, your nightstand, the bathroom mirror, etc.

When you see your notes, read them aloud because, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).

When plagued with fear, you could start with:

God says whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. (Proverbs 29:25)

God says when I am afraid, He gives me peace. (John 14:27)

God is with me even as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. (Psalm 23:4)

God said do not be afraid or discouraged, He will be with me wherever I go. (Joshua 1:9)

6) Pray Scripture back to God.

Because God is not human and cannot lie (Numbers 23:19), one of the most beneficial prayers we can pray is one that incorporates His word. “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

May you know His truth, experience His peace, effectively fight worried, fearful, and anxious thoughts and win.

Because of Him, Peace Prevails!

 

For more helpful articles with scripture that will help you fight against fear, read these related articles:

 

How To Control Worry, Fear and Anxiety to Keep Your Peace

 

Your RX: 40 Scriptures to Combat Worry, Fear, Anxiety and Panic

 

Fear or Faith: You Choose