Cathy Horning is a woman of wisdom and prayer, informed by her knowledge of the Word and ways of God. In this Attitude UPGRADE, she exposes the enemy of fear—how it attacks our thought life—and how we can learn to face down our fears in positive ways.
“Fear’s whisper plants a seed in our thoughts," Cathy says, quoting a friend. "Then fear continues it’s
whispers to take over our whole mind.”
I (Dawn) know the power of an unauthorized thought. Unless challenged with truth—and taking our thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5)—fear takes over and affects our attitudes and actions!
Cathy continues . . .
Recently, I read this Facebook post:
“So who else here starts freaking out if you have a little tickle in your throat or cough a few times? I think we are all going to have some MAJOR PTSD from this stupid COVID! Go away... we don't want you anymore!”
Dozens responded to my friend’s post. Including me.
You see, I understand the scare of the throat tickle and cough, because the first few weeks of 2020 I was sick. Really sick.
It started with tummy troubles, then chills, a fever, then a dry cough that turned into a deep one, with tightness in my chest. The worst part of all, though, was a weakness that just wouldn't go away.
After six weeks, I went to the doctor, which revealed only a vitamin D deficiency.
I chalked it up to a winter flu.
At the time, there were no daily news reports to whisper fear into me with terms like "plague," "pandemic," "coronavirus" or "COVID-19."
But as tummy troubles, fatigue, lethargy and more turned into a deep, tight chest cough, I felt fear’s whisper as I remembered my battle with pneumonia the year before. I recognized fear’s poisonous voice, andA immediately, I began the battle to silence its control.
1. I silenced the whispers of fear with PRAYER!
A Prayer of Surrender from Romans 12:1 —
“Father, I offer my body to You as a living sacrifice. Sanctify me through and through, and make me holy and pleasing to You. Teach me how to live every breath of my life in worship service to You.”
A Prayer of Trust from Daniel 5:23d —
“I honor You, dear Lord God! I thank You that You hold in Your hand my life and all of my ways!”
A Prayer for Healing from Mark 16:18 and Romans 8:11 —
“Thank you Jesus, You said that believers will lay hands on the sick and they will recover. So, Lord, I lay my hands on my sick body and I ask for You to heal me.”
And, “Abba Father, thank You that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is living in me. So, please let Your indwelling Holy Spirit quicken and give life to my mortal body, now!”
2. I silenced the whispers of fear with SELF-CARE!
As every part of my body grew weaker, I knew I had neglected my own health during the holidays.
- I had become lazy about taking my daily vitamins.
- I ate too many holiday treats.
- And, routine exercise had flown out the window.
Experience told me that neglecting any one of these was deadly on my immune system.
I knew I needed to take better care of myself.
- I restocked my vitamins, adding D and C, and faithfully took them each day.
- I stopped eating sugary snacks—almost completely.
- And, I began to walk often, a little more each day, as my strength gradually returned.
3. I silenced the whispers of fear by LIMITING what I watched and read, as well as HEEDING the wisdom and instruction of those I trusted!
As I healed, some symptoms lingered for several more weeks, especially at night. Each time, fear’s whispers were fueled by the daily COVID reports, as well as by any ache, throat tickle or cough.
So, I silenced the whispers of fear by turning off the news and scrolling past the social media posts which fed the fear and anxiety.
Plus, I embraced the resources I read and learned about from others.
- I used good old Vicks (vapor rub and lozenges) for little coughs and throat tickles.
- I started each day with hot showers and pounding on my chest and back. It couldn’t hurt, right?
- And, I saved posts about old-fashioned respiratory therapy exercises, often used before modern medicines and machines.
When I wrote my last UPGRADE post—right after the shut down had begun—we all hoped it would end quickly. Now, here we are six months later.
Our world turned upside-down.
The whispers of fear have traumatized many, as my friend’s earlier post described. However, we don’t have to fall victim to fear’s control.
Each time we hear its whisper, we can run to the Lord in prayer. We can take care of ourselves with right eating, purposeful exercise, and immune boosting vitamins. And, we can turn off the incessant bad news, and, instead, utilize helpful information we find from reliable sources.
As our weeks have turned into months of restrictions and shutdowns, I still fight to silence the whispers of fear.
I wear masks and sanitize my hands. I am careful when I am out. And, I pray, a lot. I am taking care of my heath the best I can. And, I carefully choose what I read, listen to, and watch.
I know fear’s whisper would take over my mind, if I let it.
How about you? Do you recognize fear’s whispers? How do you silence this quiet enemy who longs to control your mind?
Cathy Horning is a popular speaker, Bible teacher, mentor, blogger and author. She is first and foremost a wife, mom and grammy, who passionately loves to teach and encourage others in faith, marriage and parenting, as well as how to delight daily in the Word of God. Visit Cathy's website for more information.
Graphic adapted, courtesy of Moni McKein at Pixabay.