3 Ways to Conquer Fear of the World
I was reading the news recently and was shocked by some of the horrible things happening around the world and even in my own state. It breaks my heart to see how evil people can be, but it also fills me with fear. When I read about evil things happening, I wonder whether I’ll have to face something like that and if I would stand strong or fall apart. I wonder if this means Christ will return soon or whether we will have to endure more trials before He comes. I shared my fears with my mom, and she encouraged me to focus on God instead of my fears. I did a lot of thinking that night, and I’d like to share some things God has been teaching me.
1: When I am afraid, I need to focus on God’s character. If I focus on whatever I’m afraid of, it makes me more afraid because I realize how weak I am. But if I focus on God it drives out my fears because I’m reminded that God is greater than whatever I’m afraid of and He will be with me no matter what I go through. Here’s a few verses that testify to God’s greatness:
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39
‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10
“I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Luke 12:4-7
But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. Isaiah 43:1-2
The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? Psalm 27:1
2: When I’m afraid, I need to stand on God’s promises. From the above verses there are several promises: God promises to be with me (Isaiah 43:2), that we overwhelmingly conquer through Christ (Romans 8:37), that nothing can separate me from His love (Romans 8:38-39), that He will help and uphold me (Isaiah 41:10), that I am valuable (Luke 12:7), that He is my light, salvation, and defense (Psalm 27:1). Here are some more promises that encourage me:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
“For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’ Isaiah 41:13
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
3: I need to pray for revival. Prayer is the most powerful weapon the Church has. Our nation desperately needs to return to the Lord, and I believe that it can. But the Church must rise up, be the true light of the world, and pray seriously for a movement of the Holy Spirit in this nation. Here are some verses about praying for our country:
If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:13-14
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; And rend your heart and not your garments.” Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil. Joel 2:12-13
If you are struggling with fear, I encourage you to focus on God’s character, stand on His promises, and pray. There’s no better place to take our fears than to our Heavenly Father who loves us and is greater than our fears! Finally, I want to encourage you to remember that God is the Victor, and that is the ultimate reason to not fear!
He will swallow up death for all time, And the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces, And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken. Isaiah 25:8
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. Revelation 21:3-7
With love,
Kelsey
