Taking on challenges builds the core of who you are, even if it’s not done perfectly. Your greatest fears can be a threshold to God’s greatest transitions in life. The next time life throws a scary situation your way, use F.E.A.R. to fight back.

We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 2 Corinthians 10:4 NLT

F

Filter your fear through God’s truth to equip your mind with a bold spirit and to expose the enemy’s lies. Feed your spirit daily with God’s encouraging Truth. Surround yourself with uplifting music and positive people. This will push your fears out of mind and replace your thoughts with His thoughts. You are more than your feelings. You are a powerful, wise, beloved child of God, and you can do whatever you need to do in life through Christ, who is your strength.

Fear says ‘what if… what if… what if…’ Faith says, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…” Psalm 23:6 NIV

E

Expect God to work for your good and ultimately, His glory. Expect Him to show up, to step in, and to act with justice and mercy. Increase your determination and be willing to fail, then use failure as a teacher. When we live expecting God to intervene, we must be careful not to limit our confidence by our own agenda or understanding.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the king’s image. These three Hebrew boys expected their God to come through. And He did, in the furnace.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames shall not set you ablaze… Do not be afraid for I will be with you. Isaiah 43:2-3, 5 NIV

A

Act with courage. Live willing and available to move, to reach out, to speak up. For someone who wrestles with worry and doubt and yet still obeys, trembling but trusting- that is true courage.

C.S. Lewis reminded us that courage is not the absence of fear but acting in spite of it. Everyday ordinary people take steps to accomplish extraordinary things while they still feel the fear.

Sometimes we see heroes of faith and think they have it all figured out. Brave people don’t stop hearing the whispers of fear. They hear the whispers and take action anyway. God asks us to do things afraid so that we will lean into Him with faith.

R

Remember God’s faithfulness. Recount the stories in scripture and in your own life where God has come through before. This is what David did when faced with the giant, Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17, David remembers God‘s faithfulness when the enemy looked like a lion and a bear. David concludes if God rescued him before, He will surely do it again.

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 ESV

Be assured that the same God, the same power available to you is the same one that raised Christ from the dead.

He will never leave you nor forsake you.

LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV

The only way to live a fearless life is to live looking to God.

The next time you are taunted with the flames of fear, use F.E.A.R. to refocus. When you filter fear through God’s Truth, expect Him to work for your good, act with courage, and remember God’s faithfulness, you will have the confidence to stand strong. Be willing to feel the fear and do what you need to do anyway because facing fear will help your faith grow.

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. Philippians 4:8 NIV