7 Steps to Break Free from Fear

Let’s start with the basics. Fear is not from God. While that may seem obvious, many of us live as if it is. 2 Timothy 1:7 states, 

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

So, if God didn’t give you fear, what are you holding onto it for? What are you doing by letting it dictate your relationships, your calling, your finances, your self-worth? That fear that’s been hounding you isn’t holy—it’s hellish. And Satan uses it to prevent you from walking in the identity and authority that Jesus died to give you.

I lived this. For years, I believed that if I just stayed in control, I could avoid pain. Childhood trauma taught me that control was survival. Sexual abuse left me believing that if I could just be good enough, prepared enough, and cautious enough, I could keep bad things from happening. But what I was really doing was bowing at the altar of fear: fear of pain, fear of rejection, fear of being exposed, fear of being alone.

Control is fear dressed in a power suit. It looks strong, but it's driven by weakness. You think you are protecting yourself. You’re not. You’re imprisoning yourself.

Step 2: Expose the Lies of Fear

Fear always lies. It tells you things that feel true but aren’t.  It says: 

“You’ll never succeed.”
“You’re too broken.”
“God’s promises won’t come through.”
“People will leave you.”
“Your children won’t change.”
“You’ll die alone.”
“You can’t handle this.”
“God has forgotten you.”

Let me tell you something - those aren’t thoughts; those are fiery darts and flaming arrows. And Scripture tells us exactly what they are:  Ephesians 6:16 says:

“Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

Those lies that come dressed as logic? They are flaming arrows, meant to burn up your hope, your joy, and your belief in the goodness of God. The only way to fight lies is with truth. And the truth is:

-You are more than a conqueror through Christ (Romans 8:37).
-God is for you, not against you (Romans 8:31).
-He has good plans for your future (Jeremiah 29:11).
-He will never leave or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).
-His perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).

If you don’t replace the lies of fear with the truth of God’s Word, fear will become your default.

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We cannot cast out what we are unwilling to confront. And we cannot be healed from what we continue to hide. We’ve got to name the fear, not bury it, not spiritualize it, not “positive-think” it away.

If you’re afraid of failure—say it. If you’re afraid of being alone—say it. If you’re afraid of being broke, being rejected, being forgotten—say it. Name the idol so you can tear it down. The Bible says in Psalm 34:4: 

“I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”

But notice: it starts with seeking, and seeking begins with honesty. 1 John 1:9 says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

You confess fear the same way you confess pride, jealousy, or lust. Why? Because fear isn’t neutral. Fear is sin when it replaces faith, when it steals your obedience, and when it drives your decision-making more than God does. But confession isn’t about shame; it’s about freedom. It’s how you break free from the lies you’ve been living under.

Step 4: Tear Down the Altar and Build a New One

If fear has been ruling your heart, it’s time to tear down its altar. That means stop feeding it.  Stop rehearsing your trauma.  Stop letting the news dictate your feelings.  Stop speaking death over your future.  Stop entertaining every ‘what-if’ the devil throws at you. You can’t defeat fear while building a shrine to it in your mind.

In Judges 6, when God called Gideon to lead Israel, one of the first things He told him to do was tear down the altar to Baal in his family’s backyard (Judges 6:25-26). God was saying, “Before I use you, we need to deal with what’s been stealing your worship.”

That’s real. Some of us want a breakthrough while still clinging to the fear-based mindsets that keep us stuck. Tear down the altar. Then, build a new one- one based on truth, one rooted in worship, and one where God—not fear—sits on the throne.

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Let’s get real—sometimes you have to move before the fear disappears.  Sometimes, freedom isn’t about fear vanishing; it’s about you choosing obedience anyway. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says: 

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Fear wants you to wait until you feel confident, until you’re certain, and until the risk is zero. But that’s not faith; that’s control. Faith says, “God, I’m scared—but I’ll go.”  Faith says, “I don’t see how—but I’ll trust You.”  Faith says, “If you called me, you’ll carry me.”

I’ve stood on stages with shaking knees. I’ve walked away from relationships with tears in my eyes. I’ve said yes to God with trembling hands. But I’ve never regretted it. Because on the other side of that step was freedom I didn’t know I needed.

Step 6: Remember What God Has Already Done

Sometimes the best way to overcome fear is to rehearse your testimony. God is not new to you. He’s not a stranger to your pain. He has been there—in the midst of the trauma, in the courtroom, in the hospital, in the betrayal, in the heartbreak, and in the breakthrough.

He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).  If He came through before, He’ll do it again. Psalm 77:11–12 says: 

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Some of you don’t need a new miracle—you need to remember the old one. The one where He saved you, delivered you, rescued you, redeemed you. That’s your evidence. That’s your proof that fear doesn’t get the final word.

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You cannot eliminate fear from your life if your Bible is gathering dust. Romans 10:17 says: 

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

Your faith cannot grow stronger if your spirit is starving. The enemy speaks loudly, but God speaks louder when you’re tuned in. That’s how you renew your mind (Romans 12:2). That’s how you regain your perspective. That’s how you arm yourself. Let the Word of God be the loudest voice in your life. Allow it to fill your mouth. Let it guide your decisions. Let it drive fear out of the room.

So, has fear become an idol?

If the answer is yes, don’t panic. Don’t spiral. Just surrender. God isn’t looking to shame you—He’s looking to free you. And that freedom begins with one choice: to let faith take fear’s place on the throne. It won’t always be easy. But I promise you—it will be worth it. Isaiah 41:10 says: 

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

You are not alone in this. God is with you. The moment you remove fear from the throne, you’ll hear His voice again—clearer than ever before. So today—right now—let’s make the exchange.

Fear off. Faith on. Control off. Trust on.Idols down. Jesus exalted. Because when fear loses its grip, you finally get to live free.

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Joice Kelly