Unlike the coronavirus, fear has been such an epidemic for so much longer. Yet, where is the cause for alarm?

Do you recognize the burglar that has broken into your home, or are you oblivious to fact that he’s made himself at home, wreaking havoc in your mind?

Are you so unconscious that you cannot recognize a burglar when you see one? Would you allow a burglar to come right through your front door without a fight?

Then WHY do we allow these things to happen to us spiritually?

Stop being okay with fear living in the house that is your mind!

Many people label it as “worry”, or “anxiety”, but just because you give it a new name or give the burglar a “new mask” does not negate the fact that it is an enemy of your peace! It is the enemy’s #1 scare tactic and weapon of choice, so we need to start treating it like one. How do I know this? Because over 40 million people in the U.S alone are affected by it.

Our enemy prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The enemy is very strategic in the way he approaches us. He never does anything haphazardly and does not take a day off. So neither should we. If the adversary has a strategic plan for our thought life, then so should we. We must be able to recognize when his plan of fear is in emotion.

Here’s how:

1. GIVE FEAR A REALITY CHECK

Stop labeling fear as worry and anxiety and call it by its name: FEAR. When you call it out by its name it sets off the alarm system in your brain. When you call it by the world’s watered-down version of it, you normalize the spirit of fear. And the last time I checked, God said that He does NOT give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) I don’t know about you, but if God didn’t give it to me then I don’t want it.

2. RECOGNIZE THE LANGUAGE OF FEAR

Yes, fear does have a language with an objective. Fear’s objective is to cause you to abandon peace and believe it’s lies. Some examples of these lies are, “I may not make it. I’m going to lose everything. I can’t take this anymore. I may not live to see next year. I will always be alone.” It also chants these lies LOUDLY, but we know that just because a lie is shouted, it does not make it true. Stop accepting these lies as your own. The truth is the Word of God. This is the sword that we fight the burglar of fear back with (Ephesians 6:17).

3. KNOW THE CRUCIAL TIMES OF ATTACK

Fear will usually attack when we are the most vulnerable in our minds or when we are going through an intoxicating situation. Fear will also hit you in times of loneliness, and idleness. If you know this, then when you do find yourself in one of these momentary ruts and fear’s whispers begin to descend into your thoughts, you can quickly boot them out. Give them no room! Snap back into combat mode and recognize the thief for what he really is. Don’t become deceived in your low moments and accept whatever lies the enemy has dished up for you.  

These strategies are now apart of your playbook. These strategies will equip you for battle when fear tries to assault you! As believers, we always have the advantage and are always one step ahead. God has caused us to win by giving us the power, knowledge, and authority to be victorious!

If this blog was helpful, and you’d like an in-depth program to enhance and support your spiritual growth journey, then we invite you to join Change University. Change U is a four-part spiritual growth video curriculum that is created to help you grow with videos, worksheets, and Monday night calls with our founder, Amanda Pittman. If you join now, you get 7 days free! Sign up here.

Ashley Walter is a wife, a teacher, and a lover of Jesus Christ. Her goal is to remind people of who they are in Christ when the world, the enemy, and even their our own self-doubt tries to make them think otherwise. Her blog is www.ashleymwalter.com.