Ephesians 6: 12, James 4: 7, 1 John 4:18, 1 John 2: 13, Isaiah 26: 3, James 5: 16

Heather Bellamy

Fear is something that affects many people to differing levels. While some people suffer to the level of torment, others might not even realise fear is affecting them.

I believe that ultimately fear is a spiritual issue that God can deliver us from. Sometimes, we have to walk our way out of it with Him and learn by experience that there was nothing to fear, other times, we need rescuing and God supernaturally delivers us from a tormenting spirit of fear.

Whether it's fear of man and what people think of you, fear of men or women, fear of death, fear of heights, fear of intimacy, fear of family, fear of work, fear of not having enough money, or other fears, fear to some extent affects all of us.

I used to suffer with fear to the point of torment. I used to have panic attacks where I would literally shake from head to toe and not be able to stop. I would have difficulty swallowing because of this and on occasion wondered if I was going to die in the middle of the attack. I was even rushed to hospital with my first ever one, as I thought I had a brain tumour the pain was so bad in my head. Fear dominated everything about me and my life. It affected my relationships, what I was or wasn't able to do, my wellbeing and stability inside. It was awful!

My fear was so severe that I couldn't deal with it without a supernatural deliverance where God as a wonderful Father rescued me from that spirit. Not everyone needs this, many people I know don't suffer with a tormenting fear but do fear in a smaller way, like fear of confrontation, or speaking in public etc and through experience of staying faithful to what God is asking them to do, overcome fear and find freedom.

However God leads us to deal with it, we need to see that it doesn't come from Him and that it is a spirit we need to and can deal with in Him. We don't have to suffer under it, but God can deliver us from it, we can wrestle against it and we can resist it while submitting to God and turning to Him. Check out Ephesians 6: 12 and James 4: 7

1 John 4:18 says this: 'There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.'

Our wonderful, beautiful Father in Heaven is perfecting us throughout our lives with His love. Renewing us where we've been abused, hurt, misused, lied to, betrayed or rejected; whether by ourselves, strangers or those we loved. God is a perfect Heavenly Father who IS love. There is no darkness in Him. He thinks only good things towards us. He is more powerful and bigger than everything in this world, all of our emotions, memories or spiritual bondages.

If you can recognise that to some extent you suffer with fear, you don't have to stay in that place. There is good news. You have a Saviour who can and will rescue you. He lives to rescue us, to heal us, to love us. He wants to come and rescue you. He has also put His power within us, that we can overcome these things (1 John 2: 13) Keep your mind on Him and not the circumstance that has you in fear. He is bigger than all circumstances, remember who He is! And this will be your portion 'You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you' Isaiah 26: 3.

If you have fear, to whatever extent, firstly could I encourage you to confess out loud and admit where you see you suffer with fear. Pray about it. If you have someone who you can confess this to who will pray with you, even better. Read James 5: 16 which teaches about this. You might like to pray in the Cross Rhythms Prayer Rooms, in The Watering Hole where others will pray for your needs too.

Prayer is powerful, it's our connecting line to God in Heaven.

Begin resisting it, and praying against it. Gods spirit is within you and you can take authority over it in His name, you can resist the enemy and send him packing.

Each of our journeys will be different, but each of us needs to be faithful to the things we know God is asking us to do. He is the author, so He knows how to lead us out of the fear. Trust Him and His timing. He is perfect.

Keep facing your fear, keep praying into it and against the spirit of fear, keep seeking God for comfort and strength and courage to face and overcome it. And if you're in real bondage like I was, can I encourage you to seek God for healing and seek prayer from those you trust in leadership in your church too.

I pray that you will know freedom from fear, no matter how long you've had it in your life. No matter how it came, I pray that that spirit would leave now and you would be free.