In March 2013, I was diagnosed, treated, and miraculously healed from flesh-eating bacteria in my left arm. It would be an understatement to call that a very traumatic time in my life. I vividly remember being told by the surgeon before my surgery that there was a good chance I could lose my left arm, and if things didn’t go well, I could even die. I was only 35 years old at the time, and I admit there were moments when I was overwhelmed by fear. But, thanks to God’s miraculous power, I was completely healed! 

Even though I know that God was with me and beside me throughout that life-defining moment, I find that when I’m in a hospital setting where I see the surgical equipment and get a whiff of the hospital smells, I can easily be overcome by anxiety and fear to the point that my heart races, my hands get clammy, and tears involuntarily and profusely stream down my face. 

Have you had an incident in your life where you had fear? Then when you’re in a similar situation again, you start to feel overwhelmed with anxiety? How do you respond when that occurs? Do you turn to God and give those feelings to Him? 

During the panic attack I experienced when I entered a hospital years after my possible brush with death from the flesh-eating bacteria, I was blessed to know how to respond in a way that would extinguish my fear and feed my faith. I knew to do what we call to ‘True View’ the situation. This means I consciously chose to look at things from God’s perspective based upon His always reliable Word and respond in faith by proclaiming His Word and acting in accordance with it.

When you are feeling overwhelmed by fear, worry, or anxiety, you can take these same action steps — steps that will feed your faith and help extinguish your fears. Think of these action steps as CPR for your faith. 

1. Confess Your Fears 

I’m scared, I don’t understand why you allowed or are allowing _____________ (fill in the blank) in my life/to occur in the world. I confess that fear is a sin because it indicates I am not putting my wholehearted trust in You, Lord.

2. Profess the Truth 

God, Your ways are so much higher than my ways. You are always loving and working things out for my good. I trust in Your eternal perspective and purpose. You alone are all-wise, all-knowing, and perfect in all Your ways, and I will trust You with all that concerns me/the world, knowing You are a Good, Good Father.  

3. Reset Your Thinking 

The things we choose to focus on will always become more prominent in our lives. So instead of focusing upon whatever it is, that instills fear in you, make the choice to focus on God’s Word, His power, and His love. Feed your faith by reading God’s Word, praying to Him, and spending time with other believers. Starve your fear by choosing to refocus your thoughts upon God when fearful thoughts arise, meditating upon His goodness and His greatness, and reminding yourself of the truth that there is nothing too big or impossible for God! 

Remember He will “keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You (God), because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 (ESV). By turning your focus back on God and away from your situation, you can remind yourself that whatever is pure and wholesome, lovely and brings peace, and admirable and of good repute is of God (Philippians 4:8). 

Fear of man and of things of this world are never from God! Jesus came to earth to set you free from not only the penalty of sin, which is death but also the power of sin in your life. Through faith in Him, you can be set free from fear and from every sin that keeps you from experiencing the freedom Jesus purchased for you on the cross.    

I have memorized Bible verses which have been instrumental in helping to calm me down when I start to become anxious. I encourage you to memorize Bible verses that will remind you of God’s power and love so that you are ‘armed and ready when you are tempted to succumb to Satan’s tactic of stirring up fear in you. God has given you His Word to equip you to overcome your every fear–you just have to choose to stand firm on the truth of Who God is and what He has done for you and can do in and for you.  

Below are some verses which you may wish to memorize, so you are prepared when fear arises within you:

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1 (ESV)

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV)

“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 (ESV)

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (ESV) 

“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)

As you rely upon God and His strength, keep in communication with Him through prayer, proclaim the truth of Who God is and who you are because He lives in you, and step out in faith believing in the power He has given to you to be a victorious warrior, you will be able to conquer your fear! 

I encourage you to daily spend time in His Word as it will teach and instruct you to be a well-trained warrior, and most of all, it will remind you that you can totally and at all times rely upon the faithfulness and love of Jesus, your Commander in Chief– as well as the Lover of Your Soul– Who will never leave or forsake you and Who is the Victorious ‘King of Kings and Lord of Lords’! 

If you’re frequently on the go or want to share His Word with others, we developed the ‘Faith Your Fear Prayer & Scripture Cards.’ Which includes prayers and scripture that can easily be carried with you and shared with others. Learn more here.