“The house falls dark and still. Stairs creak and unfamiliar noises haunt. There is no one there, I whisper to myself, trying to make it true. But once again fear takes me captive.”
I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that fear has defined me for most of my life. In 2000, I slept with every light on for almost an entire year. Then I got over it only to fall back into the same patterns a few years later. I simply don’t do ALONE very well. In fact, I’d rather get a root canal than be in a dark and quiet house without a man to protect me.
But I don’t have that option. For now, every night is dark and quiet. Every night. And sometimes, it’s more than I can bear. Lately, I have allowed fear to regain its bondage over me. I’ve fallen back into sleeping with the lights on, triple-checking locks, and holding my phone on my chest (as if that is somehow going to save me).
While safety is certainly one of my most present issues, fear takes other places in my heart captive. In fact, I find that sometimes I am more afraid of what could or might be than what really is. I let fear control my thoughts and my actions.
Fear that I would not be enough.
Fear that I would not graduate.
Fear that I would be hurt or die.
Fear that he wouldn’t love me.
Fear that I would mess up my kids.
Fear that eating something would make me sick.
Fear that the bank would be robbed while I’m inside.
Fear that a car would run the stoplight and hit me.
Fear that I would be homeless.
Fear that right would not win or justice would not prevail.
Fear of that which is unknown.
After years of hard work, my struggle with fear has been mostly overcome. And yet this week, I find myself needing a reminder. How do I conquer the dark and unknown?
Practically Speaking…
- Sleep with the lights on. I know it’s odd, but it works. Start big and work your way down to a few soft lights. This keeps me from staring into the dark and wondering. In the light, I know that no one is there and everyone is safe.
- Don’t watch t.v. This one is crucial for me. I can not watch murder mysteries or even the news. At all. I used to LOVE suspense, but when I finally cut out watching that stuff, I found that my mind was able to focus on true things. I wasn’t walking around at night feeling terrified anymore.
- Guard your conversation. Talk and think about true things only. Don’t deal with that complicated problem or discuss options for your future until it’s time to do so. Many times, heavy topics will lead to anxious subconscious thoughts when you lie down and even throughout the day.
- Deal with it as a spiritual issue and claim God’s truth over your life.
Spiritually Speaking…
- Recognize that the enemy wants you to be afraid and refuse to let him have the satisfaction.
- Declare truth out loud. When fear creeps in, tell it to leave in the name of Jesus. Declare your safety out loud. Read or recite Scripture over the enemy and his deceptive thoughts. Keep a list of verses by your bed (I’ve included cards that you can print out).
- Pray before you go to bed. But not for safety. Pray about anything else! Focusing your thoughts on the greatness of God will keep you from dwelling on your circumstances. Remember, Jesus alone can comfort. And He knows your every need, even if you avoid praying for it before bed.
- Put verses in every corner of the house and read them. Make them personal and declare them out loud.
- Commit yourself to look up every instance of the word FEAR or AFRAID in the Bible and record your findings. This is life changing, as the Word reminds us over and over NOT to give in to this battle of fear.
If you don’t struggle with fear over physical safety, the same principles apply. Just transfer it to your situation. If you fear legal dealings, follow the above steps before dealing with them. If you fear failure, claim these truths any time the thoughts creep back in.
Scripture for when you are afraid
Print these truths out on cardstock and post them around your house or carry them in your purse. You can even leave it as one sheet and hang it on the fridge–whatever you need to do to remember to claim the truth over your life. Start preaching the Word to yourself and your heart will be in constant peace (Phil. 4:6-7).
Sometimes, I find myself feeling defeated when I find victory over something only to have the same problem return. But I must remember, all things on this earth are a struggle. This life requires daily dependence on Him. He desires that. Perhaps I must revisit my issues to remind me that I can do nothing without Him. I will not give in to fear. I will cling to His every promise and declare victory over the enemy.
Your turn…have you battled fear? What are some practical things that you do to keep fear from consuming? What are you favorite verses to proclaim over fear?
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I pray that these free printables bless your family and help you to bless others this year. You can get the FREE printables by clicking on the image above. It will take you to the page where you can read more about the Free Scripture Cards set.
Briana Morris says
I love your article about fear. This is also my main struggle in life. I had a hard time as a young child and then teen being alone. I was always afraid. I also realized that I had to switch off the scary movies. I know what I can handle and what I can’t. The media aspect really does show how spiritually dark and controlling movies, shows, and even the news can be. Thanks for sharing. I believe this is a struggle many of us don’t want to address. It creeps into every aspect of life. But, it’s true, Jesus can set you free.
I eventually, (when I was alone because my husband was out on work trips) turned off all the lights and prayed at night, nerves wrenching, until I fell asleep, not comfortably! I forced myself to be okay in the dark knowing Jesus was by my side. Eventually, I was okay in the dark after a few nights. Now, I struggle with anxiety and fear in other ways at times, but not with the dark so much anymore. Like you said, it is always important to go to scripture and never trust your gut!
Blessings,
Briana
(CCH Learning)
Brittney says
I love this article! I am awake right now because I am struggling with fear. I read this and am reminded there is a light in the darkness! Thank you!
Kim Sorgius says
So glad you were encouraged!
Dawn says
After a very fearful separation and divorce I literally feared for my life and the lives of my children. I too slept with lights on for a while…I also slept with my Bible more nights than I can remember. I was constantly reminded of David’s flight from Saul and how God protected him.
Three years later I rarely sleep with my lights on anymore but there are times that I grip Gods Word so tightly in hopes that His peace will literally cover me.
There is a time and a place for fear. It is a part of how we are created for a reason. But when we allow fear to take our eyes off of Jesus we are forgetting the real purpose of why we were created-to be in intentional relation with the Father and this personal relationship casts out fear and replaces it with Godly presence. The Spirit covers me with courage and reminds me that the peace I a gripping for has already been given to me.
Rebecca Smith says
Thank you for touching base on this issue of fear. I have been a Christian most of my life but have struggled with fear over everything in my life. Some things that helped besides scripture reading was cutting out caffeine and making sure I got enough rest. It is hard to battle anxiety when you are exhausted. Having Christian television on or if one night I’m having a hard time with anxiety to text a friend to pray so I dont feel so alone with it.
Kim Sorgius says
Yes, cutting caffeine really helps, too!
Jessica says
I’ve always struggled with fear, but it took on a whole new depth postpartum. I had to hide all posts from certain people in my life on Facebook because, though they were true and Biblical, did not help me feel less anxious! I also had to skip over portions of my Bible reading last week when it talked about the last days. I know I will get back to it eventually, but not in this season, and that is ok.
Kim Sorgius says
I can relate. I block out many things, especially later in the evening and it really helps!
Talia says
Thank you. It’s so good to remember that the struggle is common. Being sure I eat enough protein and warming hearty foods helps me. Writing a verse about praise on my hand. Using thankfulness for tangible things as a weapon.. Like “thank you for this warm bed, for the even deep breaths I can take, for this glass of water….” Also telling people about it but not talking about it all the time…
Eleanor Peters says
This is an amazing article. I was searching for some information on how to handle fear (I have a VERY important physical exam coming up), and for some reason I clicked on this article. It turned out to be just what I needed. I was reminded, through your article, that I need to look no further than the Bible. Thanks so much for this article.