Keys to Living Victoriously – Free from Fear and Worry 

The last few weeks I’ve been examining the life of Joshua to glean principles to living victoriously. 

This week I want to examine how Joshua, and all of us, should live free from worry and fear. Fear will debilitate even the strongest believer. Learning how-to live-in faith is a necessity to overcome in this life. 

Joshua was asked to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. The Lord spoke to him  

“…Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NKJV 

Joshua could have become a victim of fear. Instead, he was confident in his relationship with God and in God’s promises. 

Joshua could be strong and courageous because God promised to be with him. Joshua was asked to do an extraordinary task because God’s grace is sufficient. When God is your greatness, victory is assured.  

Courageous faith sees opportunity in contradiction. It is a faith, which can deflect chaos and release God’s peace in a turbulent world. It’s a faith that grasps God’s promises to realize dreams and inheritance. 

Don’t Give into Worry or Fear 

Jesus said not to worry,  

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matt. 6:34 NLT 

But unfortunately, many of us worry. Perhaps a negative doctor’s report, or a lack of finances, or a low paying job, or perhaps a relationship issue or some other trial. 

The night Jesus was betrayed, he stated this truth,  

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT 

You are united with Christ, adopted into God’s family. You’ve been invited to live in Christ and his victory, free from fear and worry. You are no longer a fearful slave, but a beloved child of God, a citizen in his kingdom with all of God’s rights and privileges. 

Don’t allow circumstances to rob you of your peace in Christ. Jesus is your peace and victory. He can ask us to do the impossible because He is with us. 

Paul also states clearly not to worry about anything. 

Phil. 4:6-7 NLT “6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 

We are to live in Christ, trusting Him in everything and enjoying the journey called life. Sadly, for many—including Christians—worry and fear grip them. 

Respected Christian neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf in her book “Who Switched Off My Brain” says that 87% to 95% of the illnesses that plague us today are a direct result of our thought life. What we think about affects us physically and emotionally.  

She goes on to say that fear triggers more than 1,400 known physical and chemical responses and activates more than 30 different hormones. People are physically and emotionally ill due to worry, fear, and negative thinking. 

Did you know: 1 

40% of what you worry about will never happen. 

30% of what you worry about or fear are things that happened in the past and can’t be changed.

10% of what we worry about are considered by most to be insignificant issues.

12% of what we worry about are issues about our health that will not happen.

This means that 92% of what we fear or worry about will never take place. Only 8% of anything we worry about can be considered legitimate concerns. Only 8% legitimate concerns—and those we are to pray!

When you are controlled by worry and fear, you rob yourself of the authority God has given you as His child and as a citizen of heaven. 

Proverbs states this about worry,  

“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” Prov. 12:25 NKJV 

Anxiety defined: A state of uneasiness, worry, abnormal fear that lacks a specific cause.) 

Worry ruling in your heart can lead to depression. Remember, you have a choice: trust or worry. Worry is a form of unbelief, a lack of trust. Persistent worry will eventually breed fear. Fears can turn into phobias. 

Steps to Live Free of Worry and Fear 

The first step, pray with thanksgiving from a believing heart. (Phil. 4:6-7 NLT) 

Prayer is communion with God. Prayer should be as normal as breathing for the Christian. Your life is found in Christ, the Spirit is leading and guiding you daily. Prayer should be normal conversation with your best friend. You rest in him through prayer, releasing worry and receiving his peace.   

Prayer with thanksgiving is an expression of confident faith in God. Faith is the assurance that what God has promised will be realized. Peace is the fruit of your confidence that God has heard you. Peace then guards your heart against worry and fear. 

Prayer promises to bring you into a place of God’s rest and peace.  

You are to give thanks IN THE MIDST of everything, not just when circumstances are favorable. 

Your circumstances are not the problem; it’s your perception of them that is the problem. You have unlimited resources to complete the assignment you’ve been given. Any limitations are self-imposed, they are not from God. 

God is always good—you can trust Him; but He is not always predictable. When you require complete understanding of every situation, you have brought God to your level! 

God has chosen to co-labor with you, to work through you here on earth. You are His delegated authority here—your prayers bring His world to ours 

I’ll finish this article next time, with three other important steps to living free of worry and fear.  

In my book Fulfill Your Dreams, I devote an entire chapter to overcoming worry and fear, titled Worry Free Living.