Finding Victory Over Fear

Worry solves nothing. It drains our energy, steals our peace, and even harms our health. Engaging in repetitive negative thoughts creates physical stress, leading to headaches, poor sleep, digestive problems, inflammation, and pain.

Click here to listen to this devotional written and narrated by Jen Roland.

With so much unrest in the world—violence in public places, deep political divisions, and ongoing economic uncertainty—it’s easy to let fear take hold. Turn on the news for a few minutes, and your heart rate will rise. Add personal struggles, like health scares, broken relationships, or financial stress, and fear can become the unwelcome guest who won’t leave.

I know that guest well. For the past seven years, I’ve dealt with a variety of health issues that surfaced fear. Doctors handed me multiple diagnoses, and each label left me either relieved that I had an answer or spiraling into panic about what the future might hold. Fear had claimed the front seat of my life, speaking catastrophic thoughts about my future and threatening my quality of life. I pushed it away, but it always returned.

Jesus addressed this cycle of fear and worry when He said, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!” (Luke 12:25-28). “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” (Luke 12:31).

Worry solves nothing. It drains our energy, steals our peace, and even harms our health. Engaging in repetitive negative thoughts creates physical stress, leading to headaches, poor sleep, digestive problems, inflammation, and pain. Fear not only robs us spiritually—it wreaks physical havoc in us.

But not all fear is the same. Some fears are beneficial, such as the fear of the Lord and the healthy, protective fear that warns us of genuine danger. Fear of the Lord shows reverence and awe for God’s holiness and power. Other fears can be unhealthy, such as learned fear, which our parents and culture pass down to us. Imaginative fear, however, is the most destructive. Irrational thinking, which creates imaginative fear, includes all the ungrounded “what ifs,” overestimating the probability of something bad happening, underestimating the probability that it won’t happen, and our desire to control outcomes. Imaginative fear whispers lies about our future and keeps us from living the life God intends for us. Scripture reminds us that imaginative fear is not from Him: “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV).

So how do we walk in victory over fear? The first step is honesty. Pretending fear doesn’t exist gives it more power. We must acknowledge our fear and identify its type. Once we recognize that the roots of our fear are lies and uncertainty, we can choose to ignore the fear.

Fear feeds on focus, so the less we entertain it, the weaker it becomes.

Further, we replace fear’s threats with God’s stronger promises. Writing Scripture verses, committing them to memory, or making them our phone wallpaper provides easy references when needed. As we meditate on God’s Word, worship, and surround ourselves with encouraging believers, His voice grows louder than the enemy’s whispers. Over time, the truth moves from our heads to our hearts.

Also, focusing on what we can control helps us avoid fear. When we can’t change our circumstances, we can choose to nourish our minds, bodies, and spirits with things that give life. We can eat well, exercise, practice gratitude, and invest in relationships that encourage us. These simple rhythms help steady us when fear tries to pull us off balance.

I encourage you to practice this exercise whenever you feel fearful: Identify your fear (e.g., Is it about the state of the world, your health, or your future?). Write it, then search the Scriptures for a promise that counters that fear. As you reflect on God’s Word, let it reshape your perspective. Fear may return, but when God’s voice is the loudest one you hear, you’ll find the freedom to live with courage and confidence—not because your circumstances are easy, but because you rooted your life in the Lord’s unshakable presence. Victory over fear lies there.

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