About ten years ago, after an injury, my oldest daughter, Sarah, underwent back surgery. She made it through with flying colors, and after a few weeks of recovery, her doctor cleared her to go back to work part-time. A few days later, I remember her calling me in tears. As her dad, I just assumed she was in pain and told her the only thing I could—she needed to call her doctor.
Later on that day, she called me again, and this time, our conversation surprised me. She said, “Dad, I wasn’t crying earlier because of the pain; I was crying because I was afraid that the surgery didn’t work. I was scared that I would have to live with this painful condition for the rest of my life.” After hearing her out, I instantly wondered: how many of us are paralyzed because of our fears?
Fearful of becoming sick.
Fearful of being rejected.
Fearful of dying.
Fearful of losing a job.
Fearful of something happening to a loved one.
Fear grips us for many reasons every single day. But the truth is, if you want to grow in the purpose God has called you to, you must learn how to overcome the very thing that is holding you back.
What To Know About Fear
It Keeps Us From Stepping Into God’s Purpose
Fear is the number-one culprit keeping us from accomplishing what the Lord has destined us to do. It changes our behavior, our attitudes, and even our thought patterns. 2 Timothy 1:7, in the NKJV says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Fear does not come from God.
When you allow fear into your life, you are operating in a realm God never intended you to be in, and you risk missing God’s best.
It Changes With Each Circumstance
The problem with fear is that we cannot contain it in a tiny box. It holds many shapes.
You can experience a specific kind of fear pertaining to the circumstance you are in, but when things change, another fear comes knocking! The enemy continually uses this strategy to exhaust us and keep us in a place of discouragement.
It Is Generational
Not only is fear a tactic of the enemy, but he also uses the same tricks in family lines. What is something you are fearful of that has been passed down from your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents?
If we are not careful, we will continue to pass down this cycle, and our children’s children will be crippled by the same fears we were never released from.
So how do we overcome fear? Let’s take a look at an Old Testament king of Judah, who showed us how to respond differently.
King Jehoshaphat: A Godly King Who Fought Fear
Jehoshaphat was a good, godly king. He followed in his father, Asa’s, footsteps when he, at thirty-five, became the fourth king of Judah. And like almost all leaders of nations, he was faced with a difficult situation.
“It happened after this that the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to the battle against Jehoshaphat. Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, ‘A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar’ (which is En Gedi). And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.”
2 Chronicles 20:1-3, NKJV
Not only did Jehoshaphat have multiple nations waging war against Judah, but people were talking, and Jehoshaphat became afraid. (It’s a dangerous thing when you start listening to the opinions of other people!)
The truth is, we are all human with tangible anxieties and complex emotions. When the armies of our circumstances come after us, for many, it results in fear. Jehoshaphat was gripped with fear, but by the Spirit of God, he remembered how to change that.
Seek the Lord (2 Chronicles 20:4)
“So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.”
2 Chronicles 20:4, NKJV
Instead of listening to his fears, Jehoshaphat sought God. We must be intentionally pursuing a lifestyle of seeking God and His will.
Read your Bible.
Set apart daily time with God.
Fill your mind with His truth so you won’t be susceptible to the enemy’s lies!
Fasted and Prayed (2 Chronicles 20:3-4)
In verses 3 and 4, we see that Jehoshaphat encouraged his nation to fast while asking God for help. This is important to remember whenever fear holds a grip over our lives. Why? Because fasting and prayer turn our inward focus outward to the God who holds it all.
3 Actions To Overcoming the Spirit of Fear
Jehoshaphat not only showed us outward ways to stand firm against fear, but he also was an example of how to overcome it inwardly. Together, let’s explore how our souls can conquer fear.
1. Realize The Battle Is Not Yours (2 Chronicles 20:14-16)
“Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel.’”
2 Chronicles 20:14-16, NKJV
There are just some things in life we cannot control or change. There are circumstances in our lives beyond our capacity and resources. And while fear tells us there is no way out, God says, “Do not be afraid!”
Saints, whatever you are facing is not your battle to fight. We can live without fear because God is vindicating our situation. We need only be still; He will fight for us. And when He shows up, He will be right on time!
2. Receive the Word Declared to You (2 Chronicles 20:20)
“So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, ‘Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.’”
2 Chronicles 20:20, NKJV
The only way we can be victorious is if we are dependent on our faith in God. (Because faith is what moves Him—not our tears, our anxiety, or our worries; you have to believe!)
Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
God moves when His people declare His sovereignty and mighty character. Remember, you have a history with the Lord. When in doubt, recount!
3. Rejoice In the Lord (2 Chronicles 20:18, 21)
“And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.
And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: ‘Praise the LORD, for His mercy endures forever.’”
2 Chronicles 20:18, 21, NKJV
What is miraculous is that as they began singing praises to the Most High God, it caused confusion among their enemies. The nation of Judah won the battle without laying a finger on anyone.
Listen, anyone can give a shout of praise when the battle is over, but can you lift up your song in the middle of the war? We must be a people of praise, because praise reverses fear!
Remember, as you continue to grow in your walk with God, the enemy will continue to heap fear upon you. And the only anecdote for fear is conditioning our hearts to have a first response of believing and declaring that our God moves mountains!
For more on overcoming fear, check out Pastor John K. Jenkins, Sr.’s sermon, How To Overcome Fear.
