Overcoming Fear and Anxiety
It is human to struggle with anxiety. Throughout the bible God’s people encountered situations that aroused their anxiety. In 1 Kings 18:16-40, God filled the prophet Elijah with so much power that he defeated 450 prophets and their pagan god Baal. In a showdown at Mount Carmel, Elijah prayed for God to receive a water drenched offering. God consumed the sacrifice in a blaze of flames. Elijah then commanded the crowd of people watching to kill the 450 prophets to avenge the priests of Israel who the prophets had murdered under Queen Jezebel’s order. But later, on the same day of his triumph at Mt. Carmel, Queen Jezebel sent Elijah a death threat. He panicked and ran for his life (1 Kings 19:1-2).
How could Elijah who was so invincible against 450 prophets of Baal coward with overwhelming terror on the same day that God had given him great victory? If we look at bible translations that describe Elijah’s response after receiving the Queen’s death threat, we learn more about what made him flee from the place where God had recently given him victory. Look at his response in 1 Kings 19 :3,
“Elijah was afraid and ran for his life”.
The NIV bible provides a footnote for the word “afraid”. Some translations note that in Hebrew the word for afraid in this verse means “he saw”. Elijah “saw” the graveness not only of his situation but its implications for Israel. Despite his victory at Mount Carmel, when Elijah fixed his eyes on the Queen’s murderous death note he became consumed with dread for his nation and his life. So he panicked and fled to the desert. Anxiety or intense fear (in this case) can come on us when we take our eyes off of God and only “see” an overwhelming situation that may or may not ever happen.
The key to reducing fear is to fix your eyes on God. Look at Philippians 4:6-7,
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
When we look to God and persist in prayer we can receive peace that comes from knowing that he is in control. God will comfort us as we wait for his answer to prayer. He will solve the problem or change our perspective about it.
Let’s remind ourselves to pray until God gives us peace. May God help us to rest in knowing that he is our ultimate comforter and protecter. Nothing can separate us from the love of God and eternal life we have in Jesus Christ.
note: If you are in a situation of urgency that involves threat of harm to your life, pray as you move to a place of safety. Also, seek help from local community services (police, hospitals, domestic shelters, churches).
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Think, Reflect and Share:
What scriptures in God’s word comfort you when you are afraid or anxious? How do you apply God’s word in your time of need?