Category: Mental Health

It’s high time I wrote about this subject. Now more than ever especially due to the current times we are living in,facing one of the worst pandemics ever in the 21^st century.

The Covid 19 pandemic has wrecked havoc in the lives of many across the globe , not to mention the ripple effects it  has caused on all economies of the world, the markets, our communities and even families. There has been so much uncertainty, anxiety ,anger ,despair and fear gripping the hearts of all humanity.

Fear  according to google is an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm. I had always believed that fear is synonymous with anxiety until I came across these guys  who put it plainly that there is indeed a difference between the two.

“Fear relates to a known or understood threat, whereas anxiety follows from an unknown, expected or poorly defined threat.

“What about worry ?”You may ask –  This I found is to feel anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems.

Experts in psychology have given various antidotes or ways to overcome fear  and anxiety ranging from positive thinking ,making affirmations, forms of meditation and even humour.

What I cannot comprehend is how can a fearful mind create positive thoughts on its own? How can a sorrowful soul affirm itself and laugh off its sorrows let alone meditate on new thoughts that its unable to create.

I have found that these methods can only be successful if one roots himself/herself on something higher ,more powerful than our weak souls, on a supreme power that exists beyond time, that is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient all at the same time -the eternal love of Christ.

Fear is a very common emotion in us human beings, but it doesn’t mean that we should tolerate it in our lives. Neither should one accept it as the norm to the extent that  it is given a seat in your mind’s living room, propped up ok nice and cosy so that it doesn’t intrude in any other area of your life! Once it gets a foothold through your door it will invade the entire house!

Fear shouldn’t be ignored either, or simply wished away. It’s not just pure emotion but has an evil spirit that exploits the fear emotion. What we need to do is to identify it and deal with it head on!

The following passages gave me much insight-

“For GOD did not give us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power ,of love and sound mind” 2Tim .1:7
A very self explanatory verse.

“So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir” Galatians 4:7

Our old self was crucified with him so that the body that ruled by sin might be done away with ,that we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who  has died has been set free from sin.

We also know that fear is sin in the eyes of the LORD, hence we should no longer be slaves to any form of sin ,that includes fear as well.

Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin” John 8:34

For people are  slaves to whatever has mastered them “ 2Peter:2: 19

“Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves as  slaves to someone as obedient slaves,you are slaves of the one you obey-whether  you are slaves to sin,which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness.” Romans 6:16

“ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:17

The summary of all these verses is to look at what the scriptures says about fear, slaves, children and heirs.
Many often think that its pointless quoting several verses of scripture. Let me point it out to you that scripture is a compilation of various letters. To understand what your beloved is writing to you ,you need to read the entire letter! So here goes the summary;

1. God did not not give us a spirit of fear
2. God gave us a spirit of power, love and sound mind
3. We are no longer slaves
4. We are God’s children
5. Since you are His children he has made you an heir
6. You are heirs of God and co-heirs of Christ – means we share in his sufferings and in his glory
7. Everyone who sins = slave to sin
8. Fear is one of the many sins
9. If one is fearful = one is a slave to sin
10. Believe in Christ & surrender to him and you will no longer be a slave

More verses that talk about how to overcome fear

Psalm 34:4–5

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”

Psalm 23:4

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalm 27:1

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

1 John 4:18

‘There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…’

Hebrews 13:5-6
God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”^[a]

⁶ So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”^[b]

The Lord is in control of nature, If he could calm this storm ,what about the storms in your own life?

Jesus Calms the Storm Luke 8:22-25 New International Version (NIV)

²² One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. ²³ As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

²⁴ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. ²⁵ “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

The fact that Jesus asked them ,”where is your faith is very telling.I believed that he was showing them that with faith they too can face the storm and make it still

Psalm 46:1–3

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”

These scriptures are just the tip of the iceberg on how to deal with fear, I would encourage you  to read more of the bible and the LORD will give you more revelation and understanding. For starters you could chew on these.

The most important thing to remember is that we are to meditate on the scripture, what the word of the LORD says. No need to strike a pose while you meditate, you could do it when seated alone, while you are stretching, while standing in queue at the grocery shop or while waiting to get your covid test, as you take a walk or walking the dog, as you flip through the TV channels, as you work out, in a bus ,as you drive ,as you are doing the dishes, doing your house chores, as you are logging on to your virtual meeting, as you tuck the kids in at night and even as you lay on your bed. Meditate on the word, study it, ponder upon it ,let it sink in and marinate in your spirit and soul and the word will transform you into who you are meant to be and will sanctify you for his word is truth.

Last but not least, is worship. Worshiping God could be done in various forms song, dance, art, poems, spoken word .This beautiful song I rediscovered ,so simple many may over look it as an old boring hymn, but it is powerful. Worship is a weapon one could use when feeling overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. True worship goes up to the LORD as a sacrifice, surrendering your all to the LORD and praising him for his goodness and his power. I say true worship as there as some songs that are wrongly labeled as worship yet they are just feel good songs we sing and they do not glorify God in anyway. If anything they only temporarily lift the singers mood and as soon as you are done you come tumbling down.
Worship changes the spiritual atmosphere around you and the LORD will respond.

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Summary

1. Only God can deliver us from all fear
2. He is always with us, even when we do not see him or hear him
3. He sees and knows what we are going through, he wants us to trust him always.
4. He is our refuge and ever present help in time of need
5. All nature is under his control
6. Study and meditate on the word of God
7. Worship – truly worship God