What makes you feel afraid? Would you like to know how to overcome fear? Let me begin by telling you about a time in my life when I was afraid.

My Story

It was an afternoon in 1972 and my husband and I were in a hurry, so we decided to take a shortcut through a dangerous section of Houston. All of a sudden our car began to make an unfamiliar noise and quickly came to a stop. There were no cell phones in those days, so we were left with few options.

We decided to lock the car and look for a phone booth as we walked in the direction toward home. We hadn’t gone far, however before I sensed a spine-chilling feeling. A man was walking toward us who looked creepy and frightening. What might he do to us? As fear rose up in me, I felt like I could hardly swallow. My husband had gotten paid that morning and had way too much cash in his billfold. So I breathed a quick prayer and tried to look unconcerned even though fear was gripping my heart.

But then a strange thing happened. As the man got within six feet of us, he suddenly made a turn toward the road and after passing us, he moved back onto the sidewalk. His movements looked like a square box and it seemed like he wasn’t able to get any closer to us.

Soon after he moved past us, a police car pulled over to the sidewalk and asked us what we were doing walking in this area of town. We told him our car had broken down. He said he wasn’t allowed to give us a lift in his police car, but if he didn’t, we might not make it out of this neighborhood.

Thankfully, he took us home. My heart eventually returned to normal but I was convinced that God had placed a hedge of protection around us that day!

The Disciple’s Fear

We find the disciples also afraid as they encounter a fierce storm (Mark 4:35-41). The winds are so violent that the waves crash into the boat, filling it with water. Now to me, their fear seemed unnecessary because Jesus is in the boat with them sleeping soundly. And, on top of that, they have already seen him perform many miracles; so why are they so afraid?

Verse 38 tells us that they are so emotionally upset that they begin shaking Jesus and yelling, “Don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” Jesus simply rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence, be still”! He then asked the disciples, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Fear is one of the most basic human emotions and is brought on by perceived danger or threat. When we feel fear, we tend to feel unsafe. However, fear is the opposite of faith and is what happens when we trust in ourselves. Fear is a basic instinct, whereas faith is a learned belief. Don’t get me wrong, danger is real, but fear is still a choice and a decision. The problem with the disciples was that they believed that the storm was bigger than Jesus. Their fear (an emotion) had shut down their faith (a rational belief).

How David Overcame his Fear

So, how can we Overcome Fear? In Psalm 27, David had a mighty army surrounding him (vs. 3) and they were breathing out violence (vs. 12). Do you know what David’s answer to fear was? To overcome fear, seek the Lord. Now that sounds too simple, doesn’t it? But David made a choice, “I will not be afraid…I will remain confident” (vs. 3).

This is a decision and a total way of life for David. He is focused on God and clings to Him with what we might call “naked faith”. However, fear may not go away and stay away the first time you tell it to get lost! It’s been said that you can bar the door, but fear can still climb in the window (Stephen Cole). Even David sounds confident in verse 3 but in verse 9 he appears somewhat anxious again. So….he redirects his focus to the Lord (vs. 10-14).

David’s Four-Step Approach

You too can follow David’s 4 step approach: (1) Turn to God and affirm your faith in Him alone (vs. 1-6); (2) Focus on the Lord and who he is: “my light, fortress, and protector from danger” (vs. 1); (3) When fear comes back, refocus on the Lord through prayer (vs. 7-12); (4) Continue to reaffirm your faith and confidence in God (vs. 13-14). I’ve heard it said that God will either calm the storm or he will calm me!

Other Ways to Deal with Fear

It is also helpful to remember how God has helped you in the past. Speaking the name of Jesus out loud can also help you overcome fear. The disciples said, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name” (Luke 10:17, NLT). And Jesus himself told us, “Ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:14, NLT).

Did you know if you avoid what makes you afraid, it only magnifies your fear? It gets larger and larger! But, if you face it head-on with God’s power, it helps it subside. It’s also helpful to share your fears with others. Usually, speaking your feelings helps minimize your fear. If you need additional help with your fears, call the Samaritan Hotline at (212) 673-3000, available 24 hours a day.

Another helpful technique is to put your hand on the place in your body where you’re experiencing fear and allow yourself to simply “feel the feeling”. Acknowledge your fear by saying, “I am feeling afraid”. Hold your hand on your body until you feel the fear dissipate and then offer it to Jesus. Also, fear and anxiety cause us to begin shallow breathing. As soon as you feel fearful, blow out all the air in your chest and then breathe in slowly and deeply. This will have a calming effect on you.

Always remember, practice makes perfect! If you practice letting go of your fear, it will become easier in time. Overcoming fear is possible as you follow the ideas above and the four steps of David (in Psalm 27). God is bigger than any fear in your life and he’s “in the boat” with you!