Breaking Free From a Spirit of Fear
by Cheri Strange, Ph.D.
Have you ever opened your eyes first thing in the morning, scared silly? Before your feet hit the floor or the list of all that lies before you in the day begins, you are afraid? For whatever reason, there is an overwhelming sense of trepidation you cannot shake nor identify, but a spirit of fear remains. That’s exactly what happens to me. I wake up in that very spirit of fear. Afraid of I don’t know what. That’s the problem. Maybe it’s a premonition of some sort–that uneasy feeling that the bottom is about to drop out of my life, beckoning me to starting fearing and dreading the doom and disparity now!
I know all of this is not reasonable, but I’m not done. My next move is to count the ways the awaiting disasters could come. There could be an accident with my daughters driving home from school. The calamity could involve my spouse. then I go back to the three daughters coming from all directions and then move to the one with the boyfriend. All sorts of mischief and mishaps fill my mental capacities.
Of course, my first line of defense is to pray about this cloud settling over me to try to move it out. But left to my own resources, I continue to wallow in my own negativity, begging and pleading to God for what is not even real. I worry God is secretly giving me this wretched angxt to prepare me for the worst which is on the verge of happening.
Still, the police haven’t called.
No one is sick.
There is no warrant for anyone’s arrest.
I can’t smell any smoke.
My wake-up call to fear is fully imagined. Therefore, I must break free.
Chances are, I’m not the only one to ever find herself in a tizzy over fears fantisized or given mental real estate to roam with them. Today I want to offer a path forward. One simple strategy that works.
Breaking Free with Scripture
A few years ago I began using my phone for good and not for mere distraction, or even evil. I downloaded an app to help organize my prayer life. But the best thing it did for me was allow me to put Scripture on my device in a useable format. The last time I found myself scared for no apparent or logical reason, I had a resource: my phone. The first thing I opened to was Psalm 118:6
The LORD is for me;
I will not be afraid.
So simple. Honestly, it’s all I needed to talk me down off the frenzied ledge of doom. No matter what the day could bring, this truth keeps me.
But I want to leave you with four more verses. I’ve written all five out and given them to you in a format you can simply download to your device. Whether your fears are real or imagined, God’s Word is the key to helping you break free.
Five Verses for Breaking Free from a Spirit of Fear
The LORD is for me;
I will not be afraid. Psalm 118:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them,
for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust;
I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? Psalm 56:3-4
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 43:13
I hope you will.
For His Glory,
Have you discovered Cheri on YouVersion where she has TWENTY different reading plans for you to choose from, such as:
Be sure to check out the Stirring Faith Podcast, where you will find encouraging episodes like this one:
You can meet Cheri on the She Yearns blog for more truth-saturated, Gospel-centered encouragement like this: