Are you struggling with fear, worry, or a related habit? We have outlined a five-step process to help you change and heal in this area of your life. Take all the time you need with each of the steps outlined in this article.
Step 1: Adopt a Correct View of God
If you are worried, fearful, or despairing, chances are that you are failing to see just how capable and willing God is to keep all His promises to you. Consider these truths:
God is faithful; He will always be there for you.
The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. (Lamentations 3:22–23)
God is all-powerful, and He uses that power for your good.
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. (Isaiah 40:29)
Make sure your ideas about God our protector match what He says about Himself in the Bible. Why worry about anything when the Creator of the universe is watching over you?
Step 2: Revise Your False Beliefs
How do ideas about people or life influence your worry-related habit? Your ideas may have gotten off track in a number of different ways, but think about these possibilities:
Do you believe that you must pull yourself up by your own bootstraps?
It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. (2 Corinthians 3:5)
Do you think of yourself as a born loser in the game of life?
I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
Do you believe that your circumstances are beyond God’s power to help?
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. (Philippians 4:6)
Scan the Bible for its messages about how unnecessary worry really is. Make a conscious decision to identify and abandon any concepts about yourself, others, or life in general that contribute to your worry. Believe God, and trust in His power to meet your every need.
Step 3: Repent of Your Sin
What type of worry-related habit do you have? Is it fear? Is it anxiety? Are you discouraged or nervous or impatient? Make sure you are clear about your specific problem.
If you are prepared to leave your sin behind, pray a prayer of confession and commitment. You may use the prayer below, or you may pray in your own words.
God, I have a problem in the area of __________, and I know it is sin. I know also that my failure to trust You has grieved You. I am sorry for that. Please forgive me for my sin. Cleanse me of it completely now—wash it away as if it had never existed. Give me now the ability to live my life in Your strength and not in mine. Lord, I believe; help me in my unbelief. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
If you have harmed others with your sin, apologize to them. Seek reconciliation and offer restitution where appropriate.
Step 4: Defend against Spiritual Attacks
The last place the enemies of your soul want to see you is at rest in the Lord’s grace. You have put your trust in God; now you must keep it there.
- Watch out for the false values that the world system entices you to adopt. The world will say you have to take care of yourself, and this will naturally lead to worry. In God’s value system, trust in Him takes the place of self-effort.
- Watch out for the way your flesh (that is, your sinful nature) attempts to have you return to that paradoxical feeling of control that comes from worrying about the unknown. When the feeling comes upon you, tell the flesh, “You’re already dead! I don’t have to do what you want.” Rely on the Spirit’s help to remain strong in your faith.
- Watch out for Satan’s schemes to persuade you to worry about your circumstances again. You can resist him with the “shield of faith” that God gives as a part of our spiritual armor (see Ephesians 6:10–18).
Do not expect the temptation to be anxious, fearful, or discouraged to disappear any time soon. Remember that God is bigger than the world, the flesh, and the Devil. With Him on your side, you are a winner!
Step 5: Flee Temptation
In practical terms, certain situations can “give you an excuse” to worry. So take active steps to prevent returning to your bad habits of the past.
Focus on your relationship with God.
In your personal devotional time, focus on God as your provider and sanctuary. Use the power of praise and thankfulness to bolster your faith in Him.
Latch on to God’s promises.
Many passages in Scripture speak of God’s care for us. Search out ones that give you the most comfort and confidence, then commit them to memory. Here is one to memorize:
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)
Establish safeguards.
Take practical steps to cut off common sources of temptation. These should be strategies tailor-made for you, but here are some examples to get you started thinking:
- If you begin to feel discouraged, rehearse in your mind the victories that God has given you in the past.
- If you are feeling fearful about tasks you need to accomplish, break it down into small steps and take them one at a time.
- If you are prone to nervousness, learn to meditate on God.
- Ask a trusted Christian friend to hold you accountable to not worry or fear so much.
Expect victory.
God has promised to always take care of you, and He will. Believe that He will enable you to beat the worry habit and build a stronger faith.