“Fear not” are two words that make a world of difference between victory and defeat. God’s presence with us is to strengthen, help and uphold us. However, whether that happens or not depends on our response to His command to “fear not.” God has called every Christian to the life of faith. It is the kind of life that brings glory to God and blessings to us. Since fear is the opposite of faith, it stands to reason that God wants His children to be delivered from it. God does not want us to condone fear at all. It is not a part of His kingdom and therefore not in His will for us. As ambassadors of heaven on earth, our mandate is to enforce God’s will on earth as it is in heaven (Matt 6:10). God says in His word, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer 29:11 NIV). The Greek word translated into English as, “prosper” in the scriptural text above is the same word for “peace”. It is clear that God’s plans for us are plans of peace, and not of fear. Since peace has always been what God wants for us, He shows us how to obtain and retain it. God’s conclusion on fear is that it has torment and is, therefore, harmful to you.
    The first step to overcoming fear is to recognize that the basic nature of your battle with fear is spiritual : “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph 6:12). This is because fear operates on a principle that is similar to that of faith. Just as faith comes from the truth we hear from Jesus (Rom10:17), fear comes from the lies we hear from Satan. We may assume, because of appearances, that our fears are just natural. However, a close and careful examination of the thoughts that underlie our fears will reveal their demonic origin. Usually, demonic thoughts or reasonings infiltrate our minds in the first person singular, as a ploy to have us think they originate from us. This is in keeping with Satan’s deceitful  nature. The following Scriptures reveal that fear is essentially a spirit : “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”” (Rom 8:15); “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2Tim 1:7). Until you know the actual nature of your fight, you will most likely employ the wrong weapons in it.
    Secondly, you need to acknowledge that to yield to fear is a choice. Though fear is often overwhelming and paralysing in appearance, it must have our consent to dictate or even influence our behaviour. When God says, “fear not” it implies that you have a choice in the matter. For instance, the Bible says, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand’” (Isa 41:10). By the text of Scripture above, God has placed a choice before you; to believe His report or to believe the report of the spirit of fear. The reason why Peter saw that the wind was boisterous and became afraid (Matt 14:30), was because he chose to pay attention to it. Everyone has been a victim of fear at one time or the other, but never without his or her permission at some point. This is why the Psalmist says, “Whenever I am afraid, I WILL trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I WILL not fear. What can flesh do to me?” (Ps 56:3-4) (emphasis mine). Like the Psalmist, you can choose to resist fear. However, it is important for you to know that in as much as to yield to fear is a choice, which you can therefore reject, it is unlikely, if not altogether impossible, for you to succeed in your own strength : “For by strength no man shall prevail” (1Sam 2:9).
    Hence, the third step is to, “Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always” (Ps 105:4). God created mankind for fellowship. That is why the Bible says, “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.””(Gen 1:26). Dr Dale. A. Fife, in his book THE SECRET PLACE, quotes God as having said the following to him : “When you fulfill your purpose by spending time with Me, everything that you need in order to accomplish your assignment in life is released. Fellowship with Me was Adam’s purpose; tending the Garden was his assignment. Out of communion with Me comes creativity.” Communion or intimacy with God is the ultimate purpose of life. From the vantage point of fellowship with God, you can have dominion or rule over fear. Therefore, cultivate a habit of regular and earnest praying. The Psalmist says, “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.” (Ps 34:4). Prayer is communion. It is the act of communicating with God from our hearts, in the process of which, we become increasingly aware of His presence with us. Nothing dispels fear like a consciousness of God’s presence and power with you. That was why Moses cried out to God saying, “… “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.” (Ex 33:15).
   Fourthly, let God’s word renew your mind, by displacing your old way of thinking. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Rom 12:2 NLT). The way you think, determines the kind of person you are. If you are fearful, it is because of how you think about the object of your fear. Remember, fear begins with thoughts. Therefore, you need to change your mindset in order to become a person of faith. God commanded Joshua, a number of times, to “fear not”. Then He showed Joshua how as follows, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Josh 1:8). We would do well to obey that same command. As we read, meditate, study, confess and do God’s word, we shall increasingly become victorious over fear.
    The next antidote to fear is a revelation knowledge of God’s love. Until you know and understand the nature of God’s love for you, your fears will still find your life a conducive atmosphere in which to flourish. The Bible shows us how to access the revelation knowledge of God’s love: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2Cor 3:18).
There is no doubt that fear played a significant role in the moral degradation of the woman of Samaria (Jn 4:7-30). Since it is the nature of fear to perpetuate the condition which fosters and undergirds it, the woman for fear of being left lonely, repeatedly changed husbands. Each new relationship presumably promised a better experience than the last one. She sought in men something she could only find in God. No one, apart from God, can give you a fundamental sense of acceptance and fulfilment. However, her encounter with Jesus transformed her into a profitable vessel to God. Divine love appeared to the woman and she partook of its unconditional, sacrificial, infallible and perfect nature.
    Finally, do what you need to in spite of the fear you feel. Like Joyce Meyer puts it: do it afraid. The Bible says, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1Jn 5:4). Genuine faith is born of God and is the victory that has overcome the world, the flesh and the Devil. Our faith, which is born of God, is so precious that Peter says it undergoes trials— like gold being refined, it is more precious than gold—so that its authenticity may be proved, and “… found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” (1Pet 5:7). Therefore, keep your eyes on Jesus, who is the champion that initiates and perfects our faith, while you go forward, regardless of Satan’s efforts to intimidate and stop you. Shalom.