How can I fight fear and win?

Editor's Note: Dr. Roger Barrier went to be with the Lord on February 16, 2024. Dr. Barrier's family honors his legacy by continuing the ministry of Ask Roger and preachitteachit.org in the years to come, as they still have over two thousand in common – unpublished sermons and Ask Roger articles. All from Dr. Articles written by Barrier that are published and republished are posthumous.

Dear Roger and Brie,
I constantly wake up with my heart pounding and my mind racing in a thousand directions. It even feels hard to breathe. I'm scared and no matter what I try, I can't win. Can you help me fight my fears?
Kind regards, Alesha

Oh, Alesha, I know exactly where you're coming from. This is brie.

I am a survivor of domestic violence. I was shot in a passing car when I was 13 years old. I battle every day with a chronic illness that results in 15 surgeries, hospital stays, and regular 12-hour infusions with brutal side effects. There is clear evidence of psychiatric illness in my family tree, including a great-grandfather who committed suicide.

I am sure that you have also suffered greatly. We all have that.

Fear, terror and panic are always at the door, ready to strike me down. Sometimes my body and brain are just convinced that the world is collapsing, that I'm dying early, that I'm losing all my work, that something is going to happen to a loved one, and so on and so forth. .

It's far too easy to give in, hide under the covers and cry. Or worse, actually believing the lies my brain screams at me. The downward spiral is pulling me ever harder.

But There is a way to survive. Notice I didn't say there was a way to defeat it, win it, overcome it. We still live in a fallen world, and it will remain broken until God creates a new heaven and a new earth (see Revelation 22).

However, you and I can survive the onslaught and fight another day.

I have carefully put together a “toolkit” for surviving anxiety that I would like to share with you.

1. I take medication daily and work with a therapist.

Thank God we live in a time where it's possible to put a leash on the neurotransmitters coursing through my brain and sending my body into fight-or-flight mode. Please never be ashamed to work with a psychiatrist and counselor. It's impossible to think through a brain chemistry problem. Get help so you can combat anxiety head-to-head.

2. Speak your fears and worries out loud.

Tell God exactly what you think and feel. He already knows…but simply acknowledging your fear verbally will help you tell the difference between truth and lies. “Cast your worries on the Lord” (1 Peter 5:7).

3. Ask God to take away your fear, help you see the truth, and fill your heart with His peace.

He will answer. And you will know that you don't have to bear all the stress alone. “Put on your shoes of peace” (Ephesians 6:15).

4. “Just keep swimming.”

Don't let your mind wander about future implications. Just put one foot in front of the other and walk. Not even one day at a time – one moment at a time. Sometimes trusting God means doing what is right in front of you.

5. Lean on friends and family.

Ask for help. You’re not “fine” and that’s okay. Don't try to make yourself feel good. God gave us each other for a reason – and people who love you want to DO something. Leave her. You need it – and they need it too. Consider how Paul urged churches to support one another. This is practical – not just in prayer or thought.

“But although my condition led you to reject me, you neither despised nor rejected me. No, you took me in and cared for me as if I were an angel of God or even Christ Jesus himself.” (Galatians 4:14)

6. Do something relaxing.

I love yoga, swimming, reading a great book, or just playing fetch with the dogs. You are NOT wasting time. Taking a break helps your brain and body recover and gets you back to a place where you can actually function and be productive. “Be quiet. The Lord will fight for you” (Exodus 14:14).

7. Sing!

It is no coincidence that God calls us to sing hundreds of times in Scripture. It's literally the only activity where we use both sides of our brain equally! I don't care if you just make a happy sound. Singing slows your heart rate, forces you to take deep breaths, and calms your racing thoughts. “I will sing of your love, for you are my refuge in difficult times” (Psalm 59:16).

I use every tool, every time. I'm not saying my fear will go away. I keep falling behind. But this is how I survive.

You never fight alone.

Let me close with this. You NEVER fight alone. In Deuteronomy 31:6, Moses tells the Israelites, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or be afraid of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you.”

Lately, I've been battling hard against the autoimmune side effects that come with long-term, high-dose IV immunoglobulin treatment for my immune deficiency. They are severe, ugly, progressive, painful and frightening. This month I developed aseptic meningitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord) due to some fairly routine IV fluids.

I don't think I've ever been so scared – my vision was blurry, I was so dizzy I couldn't walk, the migraine pain was unimaginable, and I cried constantly because it was taxing the emotional center of my brain.

About a week later I just couldn't cope anymore. I crawled into my bed, covered my head and cried these harrowing, silent sobs. “Help me, Father. Help me.” I could barely breathe a prayer.

At that moment my phone rang. It was Dr. D, my immunologist for 15 years. “Brie, I just felt like something was very wrong. What's up.”

I cried out my frustration and pain. He let me get everything out. And then he reminded me that I was receiving the right treatment, that it was normal for me to experience these symptoms, and that it would last at least three weeks. Then he said that he and his staff would call me every day if I needed it.

I know that Dr. D doesn't know Jesus, but God spoke through him at exactly the right moment with exactly the right words.

Never tell me that God does not know our needs, that He does not answer our prayers, that He does not love us deeply and dearly.

He does. He loves YOU. He hears YOU. He knows YOU.

“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts, even when I'm far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I'm going to say before I even say it, Lord. You walk before me and follow me. You place your blessing hand on my head.” (Psalms 139:1-6 NLT)

I will pray that you discover God's presence in your life. That you trust Him with your fears and pain. That He will deliver you from fear today.
Love, Brie

Photo credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/kieferpix

Brie Barrier Wetherbee is a sought-after Bible teacher and conference speaker, author, analyst and Christian theologian.

This Ask Roger article may contain insight from Roger's wife, Dr. Julie BarrierCo-founder of Preach It, Teach It, worship minister, concert artist and adjunct professor at Golden Gate baptist Theological Seminary or his daughter, Brie Barrier Wetherbeea sought-after Bible teacher and conference speaker, author, analyst and Christian theologian.