Fear Not: Three Practices to Overcome Anxiety in Times of Uncertainty

In the Bible, we repeatedly see God commanding His people to not be afraid. So far, in our OneStory Bible Reading Plan, we’ve seen God issue this command to Abraham in Genesis, to Joshua during his commission to lead Israel, and, more recently, in Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): “Fear not, for I am with you.”

“Fear not,” is a catchphrase command of God that any Christian is familiar with, yet it’s easier read than lived out.

If not being fearful was simply a matter of mental agreement, or a one-time decision, who wouldn’t succeed? Who wouldn’t shove fear aside and trade labored breathing and sweaty palms for a steady heart? I know I would never choose to believe anxiety’s lies over God’s truth.

Yet I do. We all do.  Leaning into fear and anxiety often feels natural. And in many ways, it is. As Pastor Ryan explained in his sermon, “Fear Not,”  life is unpredictable, so we will inevitably experience fear. Our “unfamiliarity creates anxiety.” But just because something feels and even is natural, doesn’t mean it’s helpful or holy. We can pivot from that default response, embrace truth, and turn towards God with hope as we strive to “fear not.”

Here is a recap of three practices Pastor Ryan shared in the sermon to help us pivot from fearing what’s unfamiliar and uncertain to trusting in our God who is faithful and true.


TELL FEAR AND ANXIETY ABOUT YOUR GOD

 “Sit fear and anxiety down and tell them about your God.”
– Ryan Brooks

The first step to managing fear and anxiety is to remind ourselves of what’s true. The primary source of truth is always, of course, Scripture. In it, we learn who God declares himself to be. Scripture teaches that our God is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, and the source of all joy.

In Exodus 34:6, God describes Himself as “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”
The psalmist says God is “good and He does good (Psalm 119:68).”
Job declares that God is sovereign, meaning He can do all things, and no purpose of His can be thwarted (Job 42:2). He is in total control, so we don’t need to be. God’s sovereignty in tandem with His holy character and perfect knowledge is good news! It means that we don’t have to fear His sovereignty. We can trust that, as His children, His intentions toward us are pure and He is always for us.

Since Scripture is the surest source regarding the works and character of God, we must read, study, and meditate on it to counter the lies of culture and our own minds.

Sometimes, when we are consumed with anxiety, it can be difficult to find our way to truth, and we need help finding our way out. In these moments, we can look to the testimonies of fellow believers—perhaps those in our Discipleship Groups or Missional Community Groups—and invite them to share our fears and anxieties about our trustworthy God.  

GET TO THE ROOT OF FEAR

Part of what makes fear and anxiety often difficult to manage is the fact that we don’t always know (for sure) the cause, or root of it.  There are obvious cases, but other times it’s deeper. There may be unresolved trauma or sin in the depths of our hearts that make us ruminate on the “what-ifs,” anxiously grasp for control, or make hasty decisions.  

Since fear often makes us prone to rush ahead of God (or disregard Him altogether), prayer may feel ineffective, but as Pastor Ryan mentioned: it’s unwise to “make temporary decisions without consulting the Eternal God.”

We must pray–for insight and clarity, asking God to reveal the roots of anxiety and fear. What lie am I believing? What am I trying to protect? Our God is eager to examine our hearts and He will give us wisdom, if only we’ll ask. (Psalm 139: 23-24; James 1:5)

In addition to prayer, we can also examine our own thought life through the introspective practices of journaling or meditation. Conversations with trusted counsel or professional therapists are also helpful. Proverbs 11:14 says there is safety in a multitude of counselors. We don’t have to navigate turmoil alone. A professional can help us move beyond being stuck and see the why behind the behavior.

SEEK EVIDENCE TO BUILD CONFIDENCE

“The way we find comfort despite fear is through
having confidence in God.”
– Pastor Ryan Brooks

Push back on fear by seeking evidence of God’s faithfulness. Build your confidence in God by tracing His faithfulness. In Isaiah 41:10, God tells His people to “fear not” and “be not dismayed.” However, He doesn’t expect blind, “because-I-said-so” trust. He commands their trust based on their history together. He reminds them:

“I am with you”  (an ever-present, guiding God)
“I am your God”  (a covenantal, relational God)
“I am your redeemer” (a deliverer and vindicator)

It’s the reality of Him—His presence, His might, His goodness, His grace—that should move them to trust when there’s an opportunity to fear. It should also move us.

When you look for God, you will find Him. When you remind yourself of what He has done for you in the past, it will build your confidence in what He can do in your present. When we command our souls to remember who He is, root out the sources of fear, and seek evidence of His past faithfulness, we can push fear aside and confidently move forward in faith.