Going in Grace

Welcome to Going in Grace, a podcast where we go beyond simply understanding God's word. We explore how to live it out daily, making a meaningful impact in our lives and the lives of those around us. Let's tune in to this week's episode.

Wow, we’re already in part 4 of this series on Tackling Fear. So far we have defined fear, battled anxiety, and embraced deliverance. Now, let’s fear-proof our lives. Once we are free, we must maintain our freedom. What boundaries and daily habits keep fear from reentering our world?

1. Proverbs 4:23 teaches us to “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” How do we keep or guard our hearts? We filter what we feed our mind. We limit news, establish social media curfews, and teach those around us what our boundaries are so that they do not invite us into fear infested conversations or scenarios. Invite Scripture to dwell richly. Col. 3:16 says “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Keep yourself encouraged and protected by doing what the Word says.

2. Don’t willingly allow negative thoughts to overtake your mind. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says - casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. When fear-thoughts arise, intercept them! For example, let’s say the thought “What if I fail?” crosses my mind. Instead of pondering that thought and allowing myself to create visions in my mind of all the horrible things that could happen to me, I should stop and ask “what scripture talks about overcoming failure?” If I don’t know one, reference a concordance or search engine to see what scriptures are relevant. In this example, Philippians 4:13 is great. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” can serve as what I think about instead of ruminating on the possibility of failure.

3. Give yourself Daily Quiet Time where you praise God, read Scripture, memorize scriptures that combat fear and pray to God. Establish a time in your week when you will rest, choosing to trust God with your calendar (Ex. 20:8). Determine when you will spend time with other believers who are seeking after God and aligning their decisions with what the word of God says. Hebrews 10:25 says “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Have you noticed the craziness in the world? That should be enough to inspire you to stay with God and God’s people.

4. Surround yourself with believers who speak truth in love. Eph. 4:15 says “but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—.” Invite accountability around hot spots of fear—finances, relationships, health or wherever you see fear trying to take a hold in your life.

Fear-proofing isn’t a one-and-done project. It’s a daily walk with Jesus, that lasts a lifetime. At different times in our life, we will have different needs to maintain our freedom. Who we hang around may change, what we watch may change, places we go may change, articles allowed in our home may change. Holy Spirit will lead you and guide you into what is needed to ensure you walk victoriously.

As you guard your heart, take thoughts captive, develop godly spiritual practices, and lean on community, fear will lose ground—and faith will flourish. Decide today that you love yourself enough to establish and keep healthy boundaries.

Thank you for joining me on this journey to discuss Tackling Fear. 1 John 4:18 says “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” I pray that God’s perfect love be perfected in you by the Holy Spirit, and that his love continually casts out all your fears. Walk in freedom, and let your life be a testimony of His victory over fear.

You've been listening to Going in Grace. Be sure to visit us online at brandistover.com.