If you want to know how to stop living in fear, then check out these seven tips. These strategies will help you overcome living a fear-based life controlled by your emotions.
If you are a wife and/or mom struggling with fear, an added dimension of anxiety may be controlling your thought life.
Unfortunately, I know about this all too well. Not too long ago, my daughter suffered three head injuries within a short period of time. And it was downright scary. She was in bed and had to quit college for a semester.
Perhaps, like me, you logically trust God, however, emotionally you get tangled up in the “what ifs.”
As Christians, God is asking us to believe Him even if the “what ifs” become reality. Trust that He is good when all we see is bad at the moment.
And that, my friends, is where most of us get stuck.
In the darkness.
In this post, I am going to show you how to stop living in fear by giving you seven ways to help calm your anxiety. These tools have helped me to fight fear when it rears its ugly head. Furthermore, I believe these coping mechanisms will help you too.
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How to Stop Living In Fear and Anxiety?
If you want to know how to stop living in fear and anxiety then check out these seven tips. These tips will show you how to overcome fear biblically by taking your thoughts captive in different ways.
Next time you start getting anxious, go back to these coping mechanisms to help you get your thinking aligned with God. Once your thinking is refocused, your emotions will follow. By the way, I’m not just saying these things, I am living it too.
I am trusting God to work in ways I can’t see. I don’t always understand at the moment, but I choose to believe Him through this horrific storm that I am also walking through with you right now.
1. Rewire your thinking with scripture and prayer
Reading Bible verses will help you to stop living in fear. You can add your name to the scriptures to make it personal. I promise. Praying scripture back to God is how to calm anxiety, hands down!
John 14:27
“Peace is what I leave with you (say your name); it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset (your name); do not be afraid” (GNT).
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us (your name) a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline”(NLT).
Psalms 23:4
“Even when I (your name) walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me”(NLT).
Is 35:4
“Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘ (Name) Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you'”(NLT).
Ps 27:1
A Psalm of David. “The LORD is my light and my salvation–so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my (name) fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble”(NLT)?
Ps 46:1
“God is our (name) shelter and strength, always ready to help (name) in times of trouble”(GNT).
Is 41:13
“For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your (name) right hand, Who says to you (name), ‘Do not fear, I will help you”(NASB).
Mark 5:36
“Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, ‘(Name) Don’t be afraid; just believe.”(NIV).
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Ps 56:3
“When I am afraid, I (name) put my trust in you” (NIV).
Ps 118:6
“The LORD is with me (name); I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me” (NIV)?
Duet 31:16
“Be strong and courageous (name). Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you (name); he will never leave you (name) nor forsake you” (NIV).
By the way, you can pray (and fast)* for your children or spouse using these scriptures by adding their names in the parentheses. This works wonders when you are fearful about something they are experiencing at the moment.
*Fasting breaks things that otherwise are not moving in the natural.
RELATED: How to Pray for Your Child: 6 Tips to Pray In Your War Room (really pray)
2. Believe God and do it scared
If you want to learn how to live without fear and worry then take a step of faith. It sounds simple, yet it is so hard. We can choose to believe God is going to take care of us even when we are fearful.
Here is an example: I am not a fan of flying in an airplane.
Every time I board a plane, I choose to take a step of faith that God will take care of me no matter what happens. My life belongs to Him. Sometimes I white-knuckle my faith; I am doing it scared.
It isn’t that I have conquered all my fears; it is that I choose to believe God in the midst of my fears.
I have found that when I do take that step of faith and trust God, it is so freeing. I find I can enjoy my life to the fullest.
It makes me want to believe Him again and again.
Funny thing…when I started believing God, I stopped believing the lies Satan told me.
I have found believing God is about habit more than anything and is the trick on how to stop living in fear. You keep building off the last time you trusted Him. And believe He will do it again.
RELATED: Lose Faith in God? 7 Reasons to Trust Him in Your Hot Mess
3. Study the names of God
Studying the names of God has helped me to stop living in fear. Think about it this way. Who is the person you trust the most? Why?
My guess is that you have developed a deep relationship with this person by spending a lot of time with him or her.
The same goes for when you study God’s names. The more time you spend with God and learn about Him, the easier it is to trust Him because you know His character.
Read these and see if it helps you stop living in fear just saying His name and feeling the power in it.
- El Shaddai-Lord God Almighty
- Jehovah Shammah-The Lord is There
- El Elyon-The Most High God
- Yahweh-Lord, Jehovah
- Jehovah Nissi-The Lord My Banner
- Jehovah-Raah-The Lord My Shepherd
- Adonai-Lord, Master
- Jehovah Rapha-The Lord that Heals
- Jehovah Mekoddishkem-The Lord Who Sanctifies You
- El Olam-The Everlasting God
- Jehovah Sabaoth-The Lord of Hosts
- Elohim-God
- Jehovah Tsidkenu-The Lord Our Righteousness
- Qanna-Jealous
- Jehovah Jirah-The Lord Will Provide
- Jehovah Shalom-The Lord is Peace
Wow! Look how powerful God is just in His names. He is amazing. Keep reminding yourself of this truth.
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4. Accept God’s love
God loves you. Even as a Christian, who was raised in the church, I have had a hard time believing this. I never doubted His love for everyone else, but I could not grasp His love for me. (This happens more than you think among believers.)
Perhaps this is how you feel.
If you have had some bad things happen to you, it may be hard to trust God.
Unfortunately, many people confuse human behavior with God’s behavior. Sometimes we see God through an authority figure who has disappointed us.
Here is the truth: It is man who is sinful, not God. God can be completely trusted.
In God’s love, he gave us free will to do as we choose. (Control is the opposite and you know that ain’ love.) Sadly, man has abused this freedom in horrific ways.
It is at this point we have the choice to either run to God or be angry and blame Him. When we blame God, we separate ourselves from real love. His love. In fact, we judge Him when we don’t know all the facts.
John 4:18 says, “There is no fear where love exists…”
When we abide in God’s love, we don’t need to fear. We can rest in Him and trust Him to work out all things for our good. Even when we can’t see or understand his plans.
RELATED: How to Trust God in Difficult Times: Understanding Why Bad Things Happen
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5. Choose good entertainment
If you want to stop living in fear then choose good entertainment. I have found that what I see, read, or hear makes a difference in my thought life. Certain TV shows, movies, books, or music can trigger fear.
Once all those fearful things enter the mind, it is hard to delete them.
Satan is very tricky about exposing us to media that is not edifying. If you are having issues with fear, it might help to do an inventory of what you are taking in on a daily basis.
For that matter, this goes for your kids too. If your kids are having nightmares, chances are they are having too much screen time.
Cut back and find other things to do.
Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”
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6. Listen to worship music
Worship is another great tip when learning how to stop living in fear. I know, it sounds nuts. You can’t believe how much this helps though.
Praise is my secret weapon.
Sometimes I sing at the top of my lungs when no one is listening. I am not that great of a singer…but it works. I probably scare anything away with my voice alone.
Crank it up in the car or in the house and just keep singing. You may be tempted to put on Beyonce or some other great singer, but stick to worship music.
This is what David (King David) did with his harp when he was just a boy. He chased away King Saul’s demons every time he sang his songs (Psalms). When he stopped singing the demons would come back and torment Saul (1 Samuel 16:23).
If you are skeptical…try it. But keep the loud stuff for when you are alone or your family may think you are looney. I’m telling you, this is how to stop living in fear.
Worship.
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7. Get moving
I bet you didn’t think exercise is how to stop living in fear. But guess what, it works. All that restless energy needs a place to go. On top of that, when start moving, you produce much-needed endorphins.
Many times I listen to worship music and walk at the same time. Kind of a two-for-one.
Another thing that has helped is Pilates or Yoga. I’m not talking about any weird stuff. I am just saying that stretching and deep breathing calms down anxiety.
This has been a life-saver for my gut. I tend to carry my stress in my lower back and stomach region. Wherever you carry your anxiety in your body, it can come out in health issues.
Releasing it to God physically is a way to put not only your mind but your body in alignment with God.
How Do I Stop Living a Fear-Based Life?
If you want to know how to stop living in fear, then you are going to have to change your thinking–daily.
Don’t let fear control you any longer!
Next time you feel that anxious feeling in your stomach, your mind is racing, or your heart starts beating faster, know this is the signal to do something.
Out of all seven steps, I recommend you start with scripture. It is the best way to rewire your brain. Additionally, the only way to stop bad thinking is to override your negative thoughts with the Truth. You are literally retrenching new neuropathways with God’s word. You can’t go wrong!!
I totally suggest these prayer cards. I use them all the time when I am fearful or anxious. Best of all, they are free! Check it out.
Get your FREE “DO NOT FEAR” SCRIPTURE CARDS PDF and learn to trust God with your difficult situation.
How Do I Let Go of My Fears?
Overcoming fear is a choice you make every day. You can choose to trust God or you can choose to look at the circumstances. It is so natural to look at the circumstances. I understand, believe me.
When you choose to stand on God’s word, trust His love, and believe Him then you can learn how to stop living in fear. Personally, I am tired of living in fear. It is defeating. I want to be someone who pleases God with my behavior! How about you?
Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (ESV).
Did you learn how to stop living in fear? Comment below.
*UPDATE: My daughter is so much better a year later. She is back to life full-speed! God used some really great people to help treat her head injury. What is more incredible is how God grew all of us in the midst of the darkness.
At the time, I wasn’t sure what he was doing. In fact, I was angry. Eventually, I chose to trust God and fight the fear. Also, I listened to a podcast every day that was biblical and encouraged my faith. That really helped!
I pray that whatever fearful thing you are experiencing, you will choose to believe God even when it looks the darkest. He is good and has a plan. It probably isn’t your plan, but trust His is better.
How do you stop living in fear? Comment below.
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Living in fear is not a good way to live as a Christian. I don’t want to let Satan get a foothold in my life and keep me from doing what God has for me. I know I can do all things with his help.
Good afternoon!I appreciate your blog, although, I’m still single. Will there be future topics that will help prepare for marriage? I’m forty-one, it’s my birthday on Monday anyway.
Thank you!
Lola, thank you so much for your comment. And Happy Birthday!! If you look at the navigation bar, click on “The Blog.” There is a drop-down menu. You will see “Christian Marriage.” I think some of the posts may be helpful. Thanks for contacting me. Take care.
I enjoyed this post. Quite the encouraging, helpful, read in regards to overcoming fear. Thanks for sharing!
Juanita, I am so glad it was encouraging to you. It is not easy to overcome fear. Thanks for reading.
As a mom of a chronically ill child, I struggle with fear a lot. I am afraid of him getting sick, of us not being able to get his meds, that insurance won’t pay for something, and so on. I love what you said here about praying scripture and being mindful of what media I’m exposing myself to. Very insightful.
Erin, I am so sorry. I can’t imagine how hard it is not to be fearful or worry. I do believe God works in mighty ways. It is not always how we think or want, but He is there holding our hand through the storms. I just keep going back to His word and worshipping Him when I fall down. Thanks for your comment.
This is a very informative blog on not living in fear. No matter what I do fearful thoughts always find a way of intruding into my mind. You have certainly provided some great insights in dealing with fear. Bless you.
Yaa, I hope these tips will help you. It is so hard not to be fearful when life brings such hard circumstances to us. God says so many times to “Fear not.” I have to believe He knows my future. He is wise and loving. Thanks for reading.
I recently got free from living in fear and since then my life has changed so much. It is an emotional prison for sure. There is such a great and encouraging post. The verses are perfect to meditate on. Thanks for sharing.
Kristal, I am so glad that you have recently broken free from this prison. I would love any additional tips you have found to help you live free from fear. Thanks for your comment.
Wonderful suggestions – I especially appreciate your 3rd point!
My husband and I are working through a book about the names of God, by Ann Spangler. It’s been quite an eye-opener as we discuss the questions and relate His different names to our life together.
Lori, I have done several studies on the names of God. Every time I do this study, I find that I am in awe of His goodness, power, mercy, healing, and love. Thanks for reading.