Overcoming my fear
by Margaret Southey
Do you struggle with fear? It’s distressing, consumes our emotional energy and distracts us. It can also make us feel that we’re not living the victorious life Jesus promises. The fear seems to come unexpectedly through a chance comment made by someone, through something we see or read or through a thought that comes to our mind. Before we realize it, the fear has taken a hold of us.
I was recently in a situation that made me fearful. I was able to recognize it for what it was; an ungodly fear. I determined to deal with it rather than give in to it and become its ‘victim’. I read Scriptures. I renounced the fear when it took hold of me and I claimed the victory I had in Christ Jesus. To no avail! I remained fearful. No wonder, because although I was using Godly weapons in my battle, I was doing it all in my own strength.
Much to my dismay, I discovered that my strength is actually not very strong. Finally, I did what I should have done in the first place. I went before the Lord. I told Him about my fear, which He knew about anyway. I confessed trying to deal with it in my own strength and asked Him to help me overcome it. It was not long after this that, while reading an article that Philippians 4:5-7 jumped out at me. I knew that it was God speaking to me and that He was giving me the verses He wanted to use in helping me overcome my fear.
The Lord is near. He felt close, not far away, as sometimes in the past. Do not be anxious about anything – Because His Spirit was speaking to my spirit, I could receive this instruction.
In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. I presented my prayers to God. I told Him exactly what was on my mind, what I was afraid of and why. I was open with Him and also with myself as I spelled out my story.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. This is exactly what happened. His peace came and I was able to rest in it in a way I had not been able to do when I strove in my own strength to muster up His peace rather than ask Him for it. It is now more than six weeks later and I can testify to the fear no longer having a hold over me.
So the lesson I learnt, and which I share, is that when I feel fearful again, I will take my fear to the Lord and ask His help in overcoming it.
Prayer: Thank You Father that, in You, I can overcome my fear. Today I bring You my fear and ask that You will help me deal with it. May my spiritual ears and eyes be open to Your leading and may I be obedient to You. Thank You that in and through You I have the victory over fear. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Margaret Southey is a wife, mother and grandmother. She has had a career in education. Her passion is to understand the truth of God’s Word and to share it with others. She is part of the ministry and teaching team of Ellel, Africa.
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