Anxiety began to rise in me as I was about to preach a crusade in Oroville, CA. The room was packed, electric, and expectant. I walked behind the stage and began to fight thoughts that were trying to make me afraid, “Do I have what it takes to do this?” “What if I miss it?” “Have I prepared myself enough for this moment?”

I knew I couldn’t afford to let these thoughts settle, so I began to thank God for who He is, declare truth, and refocus on Christ and my assignment to serve this city. The nervous feeling didn’t go away, but the gripping fear did. This was about Christ, not me, and the enemy was trying to distract me with fear and anxiety, but God was refocusing me.  The breakthrough that night was huge. In three days, around 200 people committed their lives to Jesus Christ, and over 20 churches were united around the gospel. It was a big victory for the Kingdom of God, but it didn’t come without a fight. There is always a fight. 

Fear, and its cousin anxiety, have an assignment: paralyze, immobilize, and make us small. We’ve all felt it, but did you know that in Christ, it’s more than possible to rule over fear? I have wrestled this demon more times than I can count, but I have learned a few things that have empowered me to blast through fear, live big, and fulfill the call of God on my life that I want to share with you!

1. You are seated with Christ in heavenly places—fear is under your feet.

This is not a hyperbole; it is a reality. You are a spirit with a soul living in a body. Your spirit is one with Christ—who never fears— but your soul is where you get hit with lies that produce feelings of fear, and imagine your demise. This is vital lest you confuse God’s voice with your feelings. In Christ, we are secure, safe, confident, victorious, and in perfect peace (Ephesians 1).

He is never shaken. Dawna Desilva said, “My authority is not toe-to-toe with the enemy; it’s him under my feet.” Don’t get in the boxing ring with fear; he’s already been knocked out when Christ rose from the grave! Don’t react to fearful thoughts; instead, stay calm, recognize your proximity—far above the enemy, seated with Christ in heavenly places—worship the Lord, and listen to His voice, which always gives peace and security.

2. Fear is a spirit that sets up traps in your thought life.

Fear is more than a feeling; it is a malevolent living being that is attempting to murder humanity. That’s who is talking to you, and agreement with his bullyish lies is what causes you to freeze, and self-sabotage. It’s vital to know that this demon hides, attempting to overthrow your will with the belief that these thoughts originated with you. Avoid these traps by rejecting ownership! 

3. Bolster thoughts that create faith.

Lies produce fear; truth produces faith. Believing lies makes you feel hopeless, while believing the truth makes you feel hopeful. You will get on the offense when you overflow with truth that reinforces that you are victoriously seated with Christ, far above fear.

I do this by binging on truth—cutting out distractions and meditating on the Word of God (Psalm 27 and 34 are great places to start). Then, when fear comes knocking, he won’t find room to occupy, because you are full of truth, and overflowing in the Holy Spirit, which produces freedom, peace, and joy, so you can live powerfully and become fear's worst nightmare! 

America shall be saved,

Tom Crandall