Looking for Light: 4 Ways to Escape the Darkness of Fear

Jerusha: I had the pleasure of meeting Ginger Harrington in person this year and am thrilled to now introduce her to you! Ginger is giving away a print copy of her nonfiction book, Holy in the Moment, to one of you! So read on and leave a comment below to enter the giveaway!

By Ginger Harrington

I walk into my bedroom. The darkness swallows me in thick blackness. Without the normal faint glow from the night-light in the hall, I feel disoriented.

“The light must need a new bulb,” I mutter to myself. Hands groping along the wall, I’m careful with every step. Hesitant and unsure, with hands stretched forward, I inch my way to the bed, not wanting to stub my toe on the dresser.

Ever feel like your life is like groping for your way in the darkness?

Darkness of fear wears many faces.

• Physical darkness brings a fear of what we can’t see.
• Feelings motivated by fear obscure hope and peace.
• Uncertainty ignites fear and desire for safety and security.
• Questions and confusion can create mental darkness as we attempt to make sense of tragedy, failure, loss, or rejection.

Overcoming fear doesn’t come easy. I often feel like I’m groping for a solution to fear, longing for an easy remedy to ease the tension. I just want to fix the cause of my fear and feel better. How about you?

Psalmist and king, David records his struggles in many of the Psalms. A man after God’s heart, David’s words inspire courage even though he experienced fear.

Regardless of status or situation, fear is a part of life. Fear isn’t a matter of if, but a question of when. David demonstrates how to fight for faith in the midst of fear.

4 Simple but Profound Strategies for Fighting Fear

In Psalm 27:1, David demonstrates simple but profound strategies for facing fear. Simple doesn’t mean easy, but many people discount the power of purposefully choosing faith over fear.

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
– Psalm 27:1

1. Look for God’s light.

One of the first acts of creation, God spoke light into the darkness of the unformed expanse. God’s power creates light in the dark, order from chaos, something from nothing.

Light in the darkness makes all the difference, doesn’t it?

When God shines His light, truth changes our perspective, reminding us that He is trustworthy. Trust in God for light to deal with whatever situation instills fear in your heart today.

2. Remind yourself of God’s presence and power.

Before David mentions his situation, he reminds himself that God is his light and salvation. As David faces his enemies, he strengthens his faith by reminding himself what is true: God is my light and salvation.

He intentionally puts his focus on God rather than allowing problems to overshadow faith. Don’t miss this practical step to overcoming fear.

Affirming the truth is a holy habit that ignites faith. Speaking God’s word aloud is a way of shining God’s light into your darkness.

Read, write, memorize, draw, speak, whisper, sing, or shout God’s word. Practice the presence of God rather the presence of fear by telling yourself the truth.

3. Believe God will save you.

The word for salvation is actually yesha.` This word is a life-line of hope in the darkness of fear:

• Deliverance, salvation, rescue.
• Safety, welfare, prosperity.
• Victory.

God’s saving power is for eternity, but also for today. We often don’t think of our need for the saving, rescuing, and victory-giving work of God in our everyday moments. Consider a few of the ways we can experience the salvation of God on a daily basis.

• Deliverance from the power of sin.
• Salvation from death to life.
• Rescue from ideas, habits, and situations that hold us captive.
• Safety of knowing security as a child of God.
• Welfare through the provision and blessing of God.
• Prosperity to fully live.
• Victory over sin, death, lies, behaviors, feelings, failures, and ungodly habits.

Salvation is for this minute, for an hour from now, and for every day until time fades into the light of eternity.

Salvation is a gift for living free from fear.

4. Recognize fear, but don’t let it steal your focus.

Whom shall I fear? 

Whether fear creeps in the back door or barges through the front door, recognizing fear gives us the opportunity to make choices. Unnamed fear lurking in the dark of inattention or denial creates tension and stress. Fear will boss us around if we don’t set our focus on God.

David’s question stares straight at fear with boldness and honesty.

David asks the question we all need to ask on our hard days. Whom shall I fear? Other variants of this question include the following: What am I really afraid of? How is fear impacting me?

Set your focus on God. Declare the following truths from Psalm 27 and let the Holy Spirit shine the light of courage in your heart today.

1. God shines light in my darkness. Ps. 27:1
2. God defends me; I do not need to give into fear. Ps. 27:1b
3. God lifts me up. Psalm 27:5-6
4. God teaches me His way. Psalm 27:11
5. God leads me on level paths. Ps. 27:11
6. God provides hope to overcome despair. Ps. 27:13
7. God is always good. Ps. 27:13
8. God strengthens me with courage. Ps. 27:14

Too many times, I’ve let fear chase away peace. At times, fear and anxiety have been a battleground in my life. My first impulse is to ask the wrong questions: How can God save me? Where is God in darkness if I can’t see Him? What if?

In my flesh, I prefer to see the answers before deciding to risk trusting God. With unspoken demands, I’ve made certainty and security an idol as my fears spiral out of control.

Choosing faith often runs counter to emotions, but I’m learning to recognize when feelings are defining my faith. I’m learning to stop rehearsing my problems and start declaring God’s saving grace.

Truth is God’s fear-fighting weapon.

God is my light and my salvation.

Simple.

Profound.

Powerful.

Have you ever felt lost in the darkness of fear? Has God’s Light helped you fight your fear? Please share!

Photos by Casey Horner, Josh Nuttall, Jackson David, and Rohan Makhecha on Unsplash. Original graphics designed by Jerusha Agen.

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Selah-Award finalist and dynamic speaker, Ginger Harrington is the author of Holy in the Moment: Simple Ways to Love God and Enjoy Your Life.

Wife of a retired Marine, she is mom to three young adults. Ginger directs publishing for the non-profit ministry Planting Roots: Strength the Thrive in Military Life.

Helping women learn practical ways to experience wholeness and healing in Christ, Ginger writes for www.GingerHarrington.com and Plantingroots.net. Learn more about Ginger’s battle with anxiety in this free chapter of Holy in the Moment.

Connect with Ginger on social media on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. Request to join the Holy in the Moment Community, a private Facebook group for readers of Ginger’s book.

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