We all have times when we’re afraid. Times when fear seems to be all we feel and we’re not sure what to do. Whether it’s fear over our health, our finances, the future, someone we love or something else, fear can be debilitating when it takes hold of us. We can feel like we’re not in control. But we don’t have to feel like this. When life is becoming chaotic around us, we can stay calm. This might seem like an impossibility, but with God’s help we can do it. We can choose to fix our minds on good things rather than fearful thoughts. ‘Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things’ (Philippians 4:8 NIV). Even in the middle of panic, we can train ourselves to think of good things rather than the fear we’re feeling. Allowing ourselves to feel panic without reacting to it may sound difficult at first, but it helps us break the cycle and take control of our thinking. There are practical things we can do too. We can take a minute and whisper a prayer, quote a Bible verse, listen to inspirational music, or talk to a friend. God doesn’t want us to be living in fear. He tells us to hand our fears over to Him and He’ll exchange them for His peace (have a read of Philippians 4:6-7). When we feel out of control, we need to remember that no matter what’s happening in our lives, God’s still in control. And we can trust Him. Just like the psalmist, we can say: ‘When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.’

What Now?

When you start to feel overwhelmed and full of fear, stop and say the name of Jesus until you start to feel calmer.