How to Overcome Fear, Anxiety and Worry

The COVID-19 crisis (corona virus pandemic) is fear inducing and frightening for millions of people. Fear has been a part of the human existence since the fall of man in Genesis 3:8-10. Everyone, regardless of how brave they seem, is afraid of something. There are so many things today that can cause us to fear. There are the worries of COVID-19 in the world. There are the worries in our own country, including the threat of COVID-19, lock down, precaution and our safety. Then there are personal worries, such as finance, food, accommodation, health, future and family worries.

Worries and anxieties all fall under the category of fear. There is no super man who has no worries. Fears are like temptations. It is not a sin to be tempted, but the sin is when we give into the temptation. The same is true with worries and fears. It is not a sin to have fears. The issue is what we do about it when they come. Remember the key to overcoming fear is resting on the pillars of the promises of God.

In fact, worry is nonproductive and destructive and it’s the consequence of a failure to trust God. The word worry comes from an Old English term that means “strangle” or “choke.” That is what worry does. It chokes us. Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its joy and strength. Modern medical research has proven that worry breaks down our resistance to disease. It actually diseases the nervous system, and more specifically, breaks down the digestive organs and the heart. Worrying can be harmful not only to our emotional health, but also to our physical health. Excessive worrying can lead to depression and can even cause us to become physically ill.

Fear has been defined in an acrostic as False Evidence Appearing Real. Fear makes you think that the worst will happen. Fear holds up a magnifying glass to make things appear larger than they may actually be. Probably 98 percent of the things we are anxious about or fear about never happen. The only healthy fear we are to have is the fear of offending God. Job 28:28 says “The fear of the Lord is this: wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding." True wisdom and understanding is found in fearing God and turning from evil. Psalm 111:10 says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. " So making wise choices based on the Word of God literally brings us better health mentally, physically, and spiritually that is good motivation to fear God and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge . . ." Therefore Bible is not an option; it’s an essential book to be embraced. This is especially true in times of despair that can lead to anxiety and fear. Therefore we must guard ourselves against lowering the standard of God’s Word to our level of understanding or political correctness. And we must guard ourselves against raising the standards of our traditions above the standard of His Word. The Bible is not meant to be paraded past the judgment bar of your mind. You can pick up any other book and read it, but this is the book that reads you. It pulsates with life and power. It cuts, burns, crushes, and wields mountain-moving power. His Word has a life of its own. It is the voice of God to you. You cannot refuse it, deny it, distort it, or dilute it. You can only bow before it. Proverbs 3:7 says “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.”

Godly wisdom leads directly to godly action. If you are a chronic worry, there is hope in God’s Word. When we fear God and obey His word, He will be our refuge in times of temptation and we will begin to hate sin as He does; and by God’s grace, it will be removed from our lives. When God’s people are free from fear, they can walk in faith, power, authority, and victory. Proverbs 14:26 says “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.” Learning to live by God’s word is an art that can be cultivated. The key to overcoming fear is resting on the pillars of the promises of God.

When circumstances show up that have the ability to break us down, we can turn to these incredible promises of God’s word. 1 Peter 5:7 says “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” If you don’t have a relationship with God, you have every reason to worry. You’ve got to get to know God. If you are a child of God, you have a heavenly Father who has promised to take care of you. You are God’s child, and children get special privileges. When you worry, God says, in Philippians 4: “Do not be anxious about anything,” “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 understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

God's solution to worry is prayer and that requires developing a conditioned reflex.  We all have natural reflexes, like when we touch something hot and immediately pull back. Then there’s a conditioned reflex, something that becomes natural after we’ve done it so many times. For instance, standing with attention during the national anthem or Greeting someone  saying “ namaste “ and bring your hands together with palms touching in front of your chest in a graceful fashion is a conditioned reflex.

God’s word has already laid groundwork for the diminishment of worry by telling us to cultivate a sense of the presence of God and be in prayer. Philippians 4 says that the power of God is only a prayer away. Whatever it is, take it to the Lord in prayer and remember the power and Provision of the Lord with thanksgiving … Because gratitude disciplines our mind to count our blessings. As we do this, we begin to become men and women of faith, hope and confidence. Because what you feed, grows. If you feed the fear, it will grow; if you feed the faith, it will grow. While it may be true that we need to stay informed about the news of the world, beware a steady diet of the 24/7 news cycle. Limit your portions of this and focus on the greater, better, and lasting things of God. Ponder His plan, His truth, His glory, and His priorities.

The Philippians, chapter 4 goes on to tell believers exactly what we should focus on.  It says “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9). Bible admonish that it’s not fear, Corona virus, illness, death or evil. But Meditate on God’s thoughts:  As we begin to undertake these steps, our mental outlook and health improve. Gradually, serenity becomes a deeper and more stable reality for us. – And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. Yes “The Lord will keep you safe from all hidden dangers and from all deadly diseases” (Psalm 91:3)