How does one stop anticipating the worst and not give in to fear?

[SeekerOfTruth365]

Main problem

I feel like I have a loss of control over my thoughts. I try to replace overly negative fearful ones with positive ones instead but a voice (in my mind) keeps telling me ''what if this fear is true? you should dwell on it to stay on guard'' and I can't seem to let go of my fears. I've had it since 3 months ago and different fears and (negative) fixations keep popping up and they keep changing. When a new one pops up, I can without fear dismiss the old one without the slightest consideration.

However, it does not solve anything; I still have a negative fixation to overcome. These fearful thoughts constantly distract me and it's really tormenting I can't seem to focus on my studies or even feel at peace for even 5 minutes. Especially now, since my prelims are coming up I have 5 weeks to study but I already wasted a week, and tomorrow it'll already be Friday and the 2nd week is almost over and I still haven't done much as these thoughts are just plaguing me so much! Headaches, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain are symptoms that also accompany them, that's why I can't fully concentrate on my studies.

My fixations are continuously changing, in fact a new one pops up almost everyday and it's really annoying. I just want to live normally, not over-analyze everything and just live a peaceful life for Christ. I want to let these thoughts go but it seems as if I don't want it; but want it at the same time as the fear of these thoughts becoming real are paralyzing me from letting them go.

Whenever I don't ponder on these thoughts, or find a temporary reason to shrug them off I just feel so full of joy inside it's just so amazing. However that lasts for like a few minutes then these dreadful thoughts would come back.

I really need some advice, I just don't know what to do. I can't even seem to concentrate in prayer anymore, I don't know why I'm just accepting any thought that comes to mind, I just can't seem to resist the thought if it's fear related. What should I do?

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Jesus is the answer. For real, not imaginary.
Find people who know Jesus experientially (not religiously) , daily in their lives, every day.
They love talking about Jesus. He is the answer to all their problems by design - by God's design, as shown all through Scripture.
And they don't talk about themselves so much - hardly at all even, more about Jesus and what Jesus does.
When anyone is in trouble or in need, they are there, helpfully, not judgmentally.
They know by God's Word and by experience and grace what to do , or pray and keep praying until they know.
Everything, every part of their lives, all in line with God's Word - simply though, like little children trusting their Father in heaven, and relying ON HIM. (not on man)

 

[paul1149]

I just began reading Rick Joyner's booklet, Overcoming Fear, last night, and I find it truly excellent. He differentiates between good fear (the clean reverent fear of the Lord) and bad fear. He establishes that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but that it is not the height of wisdom: love is. But he states that both the fear and the love of God are necessary, lest our love become delusional humanistic self-love.

In short, the answer to fear is faith. When the fears come, fill yourself with God: "submit yourselves to God; resist the devil and he will flee."

The Joyner book is free on his site.

 

[shelley1952]

For one thing it sounds like you are having panic attacks some of the time. I use to have them and they are terrifying to say the least. The first one I had I totally believed I was dying. I had a friend that had experienced them for years but I still didnt understand what they were. After I had that one she is the one who told me that was what I had experienced. Finally I understood what she had been going through all that time. My first one was after my Dad died so I think it was tied to that. I was approx. 51, yep, thats right, 51 when that happened. Also as yeshuaslavejeff said, You find a believer that loves the Lord, walks, talks and breathes Jesus. They really have a personal relationship with Him, they know the Word and how to use it. You do have a lot of issues but the Lord has provided a way out. Dont put off finding help though. It sounds like you have somehow allowed the demons to gain access into your life. Maybe a TV show or something on the net or something you have been reading there are several ways. Examine you life to and pray and see if you are shown anything by the Lord. Tormenting thoughts do not come from God.I know some people dont believe in that stuff and the demons are glad too. May God watch over you while you seek help.

1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth, is not made perfect in love.

 

[Greg J.]

I feel like I have a loss of control over my thoughts. I try to replace overly negative fearful ones with positive ones instead but a voice (in my mind) keeps telling me ''what if this fear is true? you should dwell on it to stay on guard'' and I can't seem to let go of my fears. I've had it since 3 months ago and different fears and (negative) fixations keep popping up and they keep changing.

These are classic symptoms of a variety of chemical imbalance issues. I can't tell from your post whether it is something like that or something spiritual. If it might be chemical, see a psychiatrist and tell him your symptoms. If it is a spiritual problem, then you need to make sure you are not sinning in any way regularly. Be obedient to the Lord, and continue to fight those fears with positive truths from Scripture. Memorize verses. (One of many verses/passages I memorized was Psalm 91 and it was helpful on many occasions.) I had years of this before I could tell that it was working. In retrospect what I was doing was priceless and eventually successful. I just couldn't tell at the time. Start asking people to pray for you, and keep asking. Tell them exactly what you want them to ask God for, not "pray for me." If all else fails, start sacrificially devoting more time and energy in service to the Lord.

Read all of Isaiah 58. Here are a couple verses from it:

... Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:7-8, 1984 NIV)

Hunt down passages other than the ones I mentioned above. e.g., Psalm 103.

One thing: if it is a brain chemical issue, then it may very well may also have a spiritual component.

 

[insurchoftruth]

Fear is not a fact. Many of the things we fear, do not happen, and remain just a fear.
I would suggest that you check and challenge all those thoughts of fear, beginning with a little steps, one by one.

The feelings of fear are automatic, and they are produced from our part of the brain, called amygdala, which is responsible to keep us safe, in a dangerous situation.

If you walk in the forest, and you hear a strange noise among the trees, you can start thinking all sorts of negative fearful thoughts. But, in a few minutes, you just discover, that that noise was made by a rabbit in the bush. You see, fear is not always fact. It is just fear and often not realistic.

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

People tend to think I am joking when I say this but listen to what Yoda would say:
“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

As silly as it is, it has truth to it. Granted I should be using the bible as an example and not yoda. I lead the first portion of my life in fear. I was beyond fearful of everything. I became angry because of it. Became a liar. A hurtful person. A online troll even. If I could do over I would because I even was suicidal. Pray about your fear, maybe even see a doctor! Part of my fear came from the fact I had bad anxiety. Which I was given pills for and it helped.

Now? Sure there are concerns in life but I trust in God, even in my moments of weakness. Even death I do not fear now.

 

[dhh712]

Main problem

I feel like I have a loss of control over my thoughts. I try to replace overly negative fearful ones with positive ones instead but a voice (in my mind) keeps telling me ''what if this fear is true? you should dwell on it to stay on guard'' and I can't seem to let go of my fears. I've had it since 3 months ago and different fears and (negative) fixations keep popping up and they keep changing. When a new one pops up, I can without fear dismiss the old one without the slightest consideration.

However, it does not solve anything; I still have a negative fixation to overcome. These fearful thoughts constantly distract me and it's really tormenting I can't seem to focus on my studies or even feel at peace for even 5 minutes. Especially now, since my prelims are coming up I have 5 weeks to study but I already wasted a week, and tomorrow it'll already be Friday and the 2nd week is almost over and I still haven't done much as these thoughts are just plaguing me so much! Headaches, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain are symptoms that also accompany them, that's why I can't fully concentrate on my studies.

My fixations are continuously changing, in fact a new one pops up almost everyday and it's really annoying. I just want to live normally, not over-analyze everything and just live a peaceful life for Christ. I want to let these thoughts go but it seems as if I don't want it; but want it at the same time as the fear of these thoughts becoming real are paralyzing me from letting them go.

Whenever I don't ponder on these thoughts, or find a temporary reason to shrug them off I just feel so full of joy inside it's just so amazing. However that lasts for like a few minutes then these dreadful thoughts would come back.

I really need some advice, I just don't know what to do. I can't even seem to concentrate in prayer anymore, I don't know why I'm just accepting any thought that comes to mind, I just can't seem to resist the thought if it's fear related. What should I do?

You may want to consider consulting a doctor about your symptoms; from what you're saying it sounds like you may have an anxiety issue. There are medicines such as propranolol that's often prescribed for the anxiety you're describing. If that's not the route you want to take, you've got to just make yourself sit down and start studying. Start off by praying that God will give you peace of mind, then you might want to read his word for a while. It would also be good to contemplate on Jesus and the cross especially when the thoughts come. But you've got to some how sit down and study too; I'm not sure what advice I can give you about that (outside of praying). I've always eventually just forced myself to do it. Best wishes!

 

[Goodbook]

Rebuke those fearful thoughts. Satan does try his hardest doesnt he? Hes a liar. Tell them where to go in Jesus name.

This is a combat scripture- declare it out loud.

GOd has not given me a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and a sound mind. 2 timothy 1:7

Start renewing your mind with his Word...read the bible daily and medidate on God goodness. Gospels are a good place to start.