Overcoming Fear with God {Quick Tip}

Overcoming fear with God is a really broad statement. In this article/video, we are going to tackle one actionable way to use our faith to combat fear. 

Three Important Things to Know About Anxious Thoughts

First, I want to give you some information on how your brain is made. This is helpful in understanding why we lean toward thinking anxious thoughts. Our brains are actually wired to fill in the gaps of missing information. In other words, we don’t know what the future holds, so we anticipate the future by trying to imagine various scenarios or outcomes.

Second, we tend to fill in those gaps of missing information with negative or scary scenarios. This means, we don’t worry about positive things. I don’t worry about winning the lottery. Nor do I worry people liking me or that my job will promote me. We worry about bad things happening.

Third, wherever we steer, we will go. The more we think of worst-case scenario’s, the better we get at it. After all, practice makes perfect. Furthermore, as we practice the habit of preparing for worst case scenarios, our brain will move into auto-pilot. Meaning we don’t even have to be intentional – the negative scenarios and preparation will become second nature.

Before you begin to think you are doomed to anxious thoughts forever, I do have a solution!

Retraining Your Brain is Possible!

Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on research that our thoughts/beliefs lead to emotions/feelings. Using earlier examples- if I think everyone is gonna like me, then I feel happy. If I think everyone is going to dislike me, then I feel scared or fearful. Is this making sense?

This isn’t actually new information. God’s Word said it thousands of years ago.

Guard your heart, above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

Overcoming Fear With God

Earlier, we covered that wherever we steer, we will go. It’s time to steer in a new direction. When we are intentional to steer her toward more positive thoughts, it changes our feelings (such as reduces anxiety). Stay with me here… I’m not suggesting magical thinking. Nor do I believe in just thinking positive thoughts will change our circumstances.

I do believe, however, God’s Word gives us direction on our thought life. Check out this verse…

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Retraining Our Brain By Overcoming Fear with God

Don’t get me wrong – we live in a fallen world and there is no end to the list of things we can worry about. But, I want to remind you- where we steer, we go. What if we spent time battling anxious thoughts with asking ourselves, “Who is God in the midst of our circumstances?”

When faced with something scary or uncertain, we have a choice. We have a choice to meditate on the fear or meditate on the attributes of God. He is in control, faithful and trustworthy in the midst of uncertainty. This is how we overcome fear with God.

So what will you choose – meditate on the fear or meditate on the Most High, who loves and delights over His children?

Wrapping Up Overcoming Fear With God

Your brain is made to fill in gaps of missing information. We tend to fill in the gaps with a negative or worst case scenarios. The more we do this, the better we get at doing it. We must be intentional in challenging anxious thoughts by choosing to meditate on the character of God in the midst of our circumstances and relationships.

What will you choose to meditate on next time- your fear or the character of God?

Click here for more info on the Christian’s Complete Guide to Crushing Anxiety!