How to Overcome Fear When You Feel Anxious

Dear friends,

I’ve been busy preparing for the GodPrints audiobook launch and my very first book signing, tomorrow at Palate Coffee Company in Sanford, Florida. It’s at 5 PM and if you’re in the area, stop by! I’d love to meet you!

With that in mind, my dear friend Kelly Jo Wilson graciously provided this guest post for us. And what a timely reminder it is for all of us—me included! When the world is crazy, we can have peace! Like the Bible tells us, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Proverbs 12:25 ESV

Without further ado, my friends, here is Kelly Jo Wilson with some insight into how to overcome fear when you feel anxious.

Your thoughts are swirling like hungry sharks around a wounded seal. You breathe, trying to stay present, but the negativity strikes. Your body is twitching. Not again. Your heart pounds, and your hands are clammy. Clutching your wrist, you shift your body to shake it off. One thought pierces … then another. Before long, you’re stagnant, and hours have passed. Frozen in defeat, you feel five steps backward from where you started the day.

Does that sound familiar to you?

Fear. Panic. Torment.

These are your silent enemies. Fear in small doses keeps you alert and aware and is designed for protection. But when it’s overwhelming, it affects every part of you. Your mind, body, and spirit slowly break down from it.

When you feel this way, it brings your world to a screeching halt.

The clever ways of anxiety can strike without an apparent catalyst causing it. It’s an enemy that silently attacks and makes you think it’s all your fault. Anxiety breeds fear at its root.

The prince of the power of the air is the one who facilitates these enemies.

Fear and anxiety can lead to doubt because a spirit of fear is not from God. Any doubt placed in your mind is like a festering mold. It continues to grow and infect until the damage is unsurmountable.

Uncertainty keeps you broken because when you doubt, you’re not focused on the promises God has made to you. Unfortunately, we all succumb to this at some point in our lives. Then we wander aimlessly, trying to find our purpose again.

When we’re anxious and afraid, we’re vulnerable to another attack. Satan is always ready and waiting to strike again.

But God is our protection

Jesus Christ defeated those enemies when He gave up His Spirit on the cross, died, and rose again.

He fought your battle, even the one you’re struggling with today.

When Jesus was tempted by Satan, Satan used scripture to try and make Jesus doubt God. It didn’t work because Jesus is the living Word of God. He is your Savior, who defeated sin and death.

Satan has no power over Him.

When you are covered with the blood of Jesus Christ by confessing He is the Son of God who paid your sin debt in full, Satan has no power over you either. These silent enemies have no weight in your life. You can overcome it with Jesus Christ. No matter what kind of fiery arrow is launched your way, the armor of God is your protection.

We are made of spirit and flesh. Our flesh is broken, so it’s hard for us to fully accept Jesus’ help. But the more time we spend with Jesus, the more we rest in His comfort and protection.

So How do you fight it?

Trust in God. Rely on Jesus. Submit to Him and let go of your fear.

Each of these will guarantee strength.

Just because they are simple answers doesn’t mean they are easy. You will have to fight yourself, because you will want to take the path of least resistance. That’s where you are the most vulnerable.

But when you do each of those things, it’s no longer your fight. You’ve given it up to God. And His power is everpresent.

Giving it to God doesn’t remove the merit of why you are afraid or diminish the reason to fear. Fear and anxiety are real.

But so is God.

His power surpasses all understanding. He has given us power through His Son, Jesus Christ. Once you have Jesus within you, you no longer fight alone.

Your spirit and flesh battle each other constantly in this world. When you let go and let Jesus step in for you, He will do amazing things.

You are not tagging in an equal contender. Instead, you are choosing a superior who has defeated what you are going through. Your power comes through Him.

The fear in you doesn’t disappear, but God’s peace overcomes it.

He gives you comfort and joy even in the terrifying times of your life. You have to trust Him. You have to let go. Stop trying to deal with everything on your own.

You don’t have the strength to battle without the armor of God.

You may find relief for a short time in medication, hobbies, or other substitutes that pass the time.

But there is no replacement for Jesus. He is the prince of peace. He is the only One that defeated death and rose again, conquering the world’s sin and all that comes with it.

I pray you will find His peace in this difficult time. If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, I pray that you open the door when He knocks. He will not give up on you.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7

Thank you for the timely reminder, Kelly Jo! Friends, let’s remember who’s on our side in this fight! And cling to this promise this week:

“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you.” Psalms 56:3, NKJV

Kelly Jo Wilson is devoted to serving people. She’s no stranger to a broken past of personal mistakes and heartache. Yet, God has blessed her with a house full of boys, a crazy Rottie, and a life filled with teachable moments. At seven years old, she discovered a deep love for stories, and God has called her to shift from nursing to reaching people through writing and her podcast, I Witness. Kelly’s passion is encouraging women who feel unworthy to embrace the unique purpose Jesus has for them.

Connect with her at www.KellyJoWilson.com