Win the Battle for Your Mind

When life’s storms rise and fear grips your heart, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to sink. This encouraging message helps you win the battle for your mind by staying focused on Jesus, replacing fear with truth, and trusting in God’s faithful presence through it all.

 

“The key ingredient to overcoming fear is not just speaking to it; it’s speaking to it in Jesus’ name.”
– Sadie Robertson

Imagine spending all day ministering to people and then trying to escape a vicious storm in a boat. But instead of seeing land, you see what appears to be a ghost walking toward you —on the choppy wave! You wouldn’t be afraid … you’d be terrified!

This was how the disciples felt in Matthew 14. Jesus called to them immediately: “Don’t be afraid,’ he said. ‘Take courage. I am here!’” (v. 27 NLT).

Although the disciples were frightened by the storm, Jesus was there to reassure them right away with His presence. The storm was not unusual. Nor was it unusual that the disciples displayed a healthy fear of the storm or an unknown spectacle.

The first lesson we need to remember is that storms are a natural part of life. Jesus even told us to expect them: “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT). We were never promised smooth sailing.

The second lesson is that Jesus was there immediately and reassured the disciples by speaking encouragement. Just knowing that we’re not alone in the trials of life can help calm our fears immensely.

Peter, the brash disciple, immediately said, “Lord, if it’s really you, command me to come to You walking on the water” (Matthew 14:28). Having taken a few steps, though, he noticed that the storm was still raging, became afraid, and started to sink.

Here’s where we learn our third lesson. You see, friend, Peter started to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus. That’s what happens to us as well. When we’re in a life storm, we sometimes lose sight of our living Savior, and so we start to panic and sink under our circumstances.

Giving in to the spirit of fear is easy. While we know the truth of Paul’s encouraging words to Timothy, we have a tough time applying them: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

So how can you overcome the battle of fear in your mind? Here are several suggestions we call the 4 C’s:

Control Your Body

It’s not all in your head and heart. Sometimes it’s also in your body. Although fear is a spiritual condition, it’s often manifested in harmful physical ways. I’m sure you can relate to the sick-to-your-stomach feeling, the racing heartbeat, the shaking hands. Before you can win the spiritual battle over fear on the inside, you may have to deal with its effects on the outside.

In our earlier Scripture, Peter engaged his whole body in overcoming his initial fear—he swung his legs over the side of the boat, set his feet on the choppy waters, and stepped forward in faith. But when he looked down and saw the crashing waves, he started sinking. That’s what we tend to do as well. We charge forward with faith, but then doubt and fear start crashing around us, and our faith begins to waver.

As you step forward in faith, make sure you’re doing the necessary things your body needs, such as getting proper rest, nutrition, and exercise. One activity that can calm your physical body is deep breathing. Inhale peace, exhale worry. Repeat. Speak the name of Jesus over the situation. Turn on some praise music. The devil cannot stand to listen to it and will flee!

Once you get your physical body to calm down just a bit, then you can start getting your mind engaged with the truth of God’s Word, which is the true remedy to overcoming the enemy’s lies.

Correct Your Core Beliefs

Just like our bodies can get out of order, sometimes wrong beliefs allow stray thoughts and negative emotions to rule our minds. That’s why it’s important to saturate ourselves with the truth of God’s Word. Look up verses on hope and peace, write them on sticky notes, and post them anywhere you’ll see them. Set your favorite verse as your background on your cell phone.

Always avoid bad advice even if it’s well intentioned. Maxims such as “God won’t give you more than you can handle” are thought to be from Scripture, but often the context is twisted. Look at the actual verse and context of that thought:

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

This verse is actually about temptation! It’s not about life circumstances at all. What Paul is telling Christians here is that God will always help you avoid falling into the trap of sin.

Feelings of stress and anxiety are a different story, however.

At times, we will feel as if we have more than we can manage, but that’s why we need God’s help. His power undergirds our faith. His power strengthens our resolve. God always wants to instill in us what we need for an abundant life. That’s why He encourages us to seek Him in prayer:

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7).

God is quick to hear our petitions and comfort us when we’re downtrodden. But what if the worst-case scenario does happen? What if the rent is overdue, and the balance in your bank account is zero? What if your company shuts down because of a worldwide pandemic? What if your car breaks down … at night … in the rain … with your kids in tow … and no cell phone? What if war shows up on your front doorstep? What if your son is sent to the front lines of battle?

Then we need to internalize three important truths:

1. God is still good.
2. God is still with you.
3. God is still faithful.

Think about those three points for a moment. Just because something bad happens in your life does not mean that God was looking the other way. God has an overarching perspective that you can’t see or know. He sees the big picture, and He’s got a good and perfect plan for your life. It may be a long time before you step into your destiny, but you’ve got to trust God. “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord” (Psalm 112:7 ESV).

Even when you feel alone, remind yourself repeatedly that Jesus is right there beside you. He feels every pain; He understands every fear. Often, what we need is just to know that we are not alone. Somehow that takes the edge off our fears. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us, “Be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (ESV). Personalize this verse by saying to yourself (audibly if possible), “Jesus will never leave me” as many times as you need to.

Remember, God provided for the Israelites every step of the way—parting the Red Sea, causing water to gush from a rock, and pouring out manna for His children. The provision didn’t always look the way they thought it should, but God always supplied what they needed. Look back over your life and trace the number of ways—big and small—that God has provided for you. He will always be faithful … and you can be confident in that.

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Excerpt taken from Simple Steps to Overcoming Fear by Inspiration Ministries

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