I used to think the way to overcome fear was through control. If I worked hard, ordered my life perfectly, and controlled my circumstances, then I could rest and be at peace.

And while most of these life propositions are true enough, they’re NOT ALWAYS true.

Sometimes, we study hard and still underachieve or fail.

Sometimes, people just don’t like you (and you them); and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Sometimes, we bust our butts at work and it either goes unnoticed or politics and other biases stand in the way of succeeding.

That’s life—it’s ambiguous and uncontrollable much of the time.

What’s the point?!

It stands to reason that relying on our own ability to control outcomes and manipulate circumstances is NOT a reliable path for overcoming fear and anxiety. Control will not lead to “the good life” because control is an illusion in an ambiguous world.

So, how can we overcome fear if controlling everything in our world isn’t the best option? The very first step deals with our identity, something we’ve written a lot about because it’s SOOO foundational.

STEP 1: Remember Who You Are

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children…For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:14-16, 38-39

• You are a beloved child of God, perfectly loved no matter the circumstance

• You are NOT strictly defined by what you do or produce

• The very Spirit of God is in you and with you – you are NEVER alone

• Abba Father holds you, not you him – surrender control and rest in this truth

Throughout your day today, reflect on this passage from Romans and ask yourself:

1. Where/when do I resist this truth? Why?
2. When is it easy for me to believe this? When is it hard?
3. What would it take for me to more fully transfer this from my head to my heart?

Pray through your answers, wait on the Lord to see what the Holy Spirit says, and write it down somewhere.

Working ourselves into a flurry of activity to control our fears will never solve the issues rooted in what we believe about ourselves and God. Start overcoming fear by contending with who you believe you are and ask the Lord to bring that into alignment with how He sees you.

Here’s to living the more of freedom over fear!