The Antidote to an Anxious Realm
Recently, I’ve been thinking about writing a blog post on countering the problem of anxiety attacks. Most of us go through it at some point, right? How have you personally overcome these attacks? What has been your strategy? Whom did you turn to when you faced anxiety? What has been the source of your help? What is your escape plan?
In our chaotic, broken, and challenging world, it is quite easy—and normal—to encounter anxiety attacks. It is the spirit of fear, frequently tormenting people and pushing individuals into a loop of being reasonably anxious about real challenges that can shrink our lives. It often triggers sorrow, grief, or pain, leading to a quitter mentality.
In this context, I sensed a desire within my spirit to equip others on how they can boomerang out of the anxious realm. So, I began to write a few paragraphs, but I got stuck! I realised my blog post was missing something—it wasn’t offering a helpful escape plan. This led to further struggle and a mental wrestling match to settle the issue as quickly as possible.
I tried several solutions: good workouts, social gatherings, and some enjoyable food—to refresh my mind and clear my thoughts. Yet, I failed and decided to rethink everything and write about something else. But after a few days, I discerned the answer was already within me. It is God the Holy Spirit, who lives inside of a Christ follower and destroys the attacks of the spirit of fear. He sabotages the anxious realm.
In Christ, we carry the resurrection power of our risen Lord and Saviour. Because of that resurrection power, the spirit of fear cannot prosper. We have the Spirit of God living inside of us, and He has defeated the greatest fear of humanity—death.
He is the source within us who can destroy the wiles and schemes of the enemy—the spirit of fear. The Scriptures affirm: “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV).
Paul, in this passage, is encouraging Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God,” helping him see that he doesn’t need to be afraid or anxious in his ministry. Because the source of strength to counter fear is within—“which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” Paul is reminding Timothy that the Spirit of God had been imparted to him.
The Greek word for “spirit”—πνεῦμα (pneuma)—is used to reflect either the Holy Spirit or spirits like the fear of man/ demonic. The word for fear here—δειλία (deilia)—means cowardice, timidity, or being fearful, shrinking back from challenges.
So, whom should we turn to when we face the spirit of fear? The answer is the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, who brings peace, comfort, strength, and counsel in any situation. Even in critical moments, we can pray and seek guidance from God the Holy Spirit, who will counsel us with divine wisdom.
We can train ourselves to grow in hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit by living a life of surrender to God. Daily intimacy with the Lord—through Scripture, prayer, fasting, community, and patience—is the best spiritual tool to enhance our ability to hear Him.
Personally, I have often run to God whenever I’ve encountered the spirit of fear. In moments of deep anxiety, simply turning on worship music, praying, and rebuking the spirit of fear has brought me help from the Lord: “May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion” (Psalm 20:2 ESV).
And when we turn to God we encounter the presence of God the Holy Spirit. This is not a one time thing. It’s not a touch and go process. We need to keep abiding in this most powerful place where we all need to hide. A place to encounter great peace, confidence, and supernatural strength that knocks down the Anxious Realm. So, as the followers of Christ, we must consistently choose to live and abide in the presence of the Most High God. There is no need for fancy spiritual formula or spiritual accolades to access His presence. All it takes is a humble confession of our need for Him, childlike faith, prayer, worship, and the declaration of His Word against the enemy, especially when the enemy attacks us with the weapon of fear.
The Anxious Realm will collapse when we choose to hide ourselves under the presence of God. No wonder the Psalmist says in Psalm 17:8 ESV: “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” This scripture highlights the need for an ongoing, intimate relationship with Him—consistently being found in Him, devoted to the admiration of His image, and abiding in His presence.
The Antidote to an Anxious Realm is the Admiration of His image.
Dallas Willard, in his book Life Without Lack: Living in the Fullness of Psalm 23, explains that Fear is the anticipation of evil. Faith is the anticipation of good. Living in the presence of God is the only sure way to be delivered from fear.
