In a world plagued by uncertainty, pandemics, economic instability, and personal losses, fear creeps in like a shadow. This threatens to obscure our faith’s light. We are called to a higher standard as Christians, a standard not dictated by fear, but by faith. As we explore Scripture’s reframe of fear as a fleeting visitor we can overcome through Christ’s power, we will draw inspiration in echoes timeless truths. As you recite these words, infuse them with biblical wisdom, and emerge stronger in your relationship with God as a result.
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer.
In addition to being an emotion, fear is also a saboteur of our soul, whispering lies that paralyze our thoughts and undermine our trust in God. The Lord declares in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; do not be discouraged, for I am your God; I will strengthen, I will assist and I will uphold you with my righteous hand.” When fear strikes, it kills the vibrancy of our minds, replacing God’s promises with “what ifs” that bind us to anxiety.
As believers, we must declare war on this intruder, choosing instead the peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). As we anchor our minds in Scripture, we are able to starve fear of its power, allowing the Holy Spirit to renew our minds on a daily basis. Fear thrives in the dark corners of doubt; shine God’s Word, and it will wither. The renewed mind has no dominion over fear in Christ.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
It is not always a roaring force; at times, it nibbles away like a thief in the night, causing a gradual demise of our spiritual well-being. According to Proverbs 12:25, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Unchecked fear can lead to the loss of joy, relationships, and even our witness, resulting in a hollow faith. Peter, while walking on water, changed his gaze to the storm, and fear dragged him under (Matthew 14:30).
He was lifted by Jesus, demonstrating that fear’s “little death” cannot match resurrection life. It is important to recognize this pattern when faced with anxiety regarding health, finances, or the future: fear isolates, accuses, and destroys. Praise God, He offers total restoration! Through prayer and community, we reclaim what fear attempts to steal, emerging not obliterated, but resurrected in His grace.
I will face my fear.
The concept of courage is not the absence of fear; it is the deliberate choice to face fear head-on with God’s armor (Ephesians 6:11). As Joshua trembled at the prospect of leading Israel, God instructed him: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be disheartened, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” In order to face fear, one must identify it—whether it is fear of failure, rejection, or the unknown—and bring it before the throne.
We are honoring David’s defiance of Goliath not with bravado, but with faith in the Almighty, in doing so. As global tensions rise and personal storms brew, let us resolve to face our fears not with our own strength, but with faith in the One who has conquered the world. This act of defiance transforms terror into testimony, proving that whatever we face with Christ, we conquer through Him.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
In the Christian context, surrender is not a surrender of control; it is the wise yielding to God’s greater purpose, allowing fear to flow without taking root. Like the Israelites under the Passover lamb’s blood, where death was passed over (Exodus 12:13), we stand under Christ’s blood, where fear’s sting is nullified by the blood of Christ. “Although I may walk through the valley of shadows, I will not fear evil for you are with me,” Psalm 23:4 assures us.
As we allow fear to pass, we avoid clutching it as a security blanket, rather than opening our hearts to the Comforter. In moments of panic attacks or sleepless nights, breathe in prayer: “LORD, let this fear traverse without tarry.” It moves through the cracks of our faith, exposing vulnerabilities that can then be sealed with truth. It is this holy permission that ushers in freedom and reminds us that God is our ultimate refuge.
And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
During times of trial, reflection serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness to us. As fear departs, we pause to trace its route, much as the psalmist recounts in Psalm 77:11: “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.” As our spirit is attuned to the Holy Spirit, this “inner eye” reveals the enemy’s tactics: Was it based on lies about God’s provision? Did it exploit past wounds?
In the quiet aftermath, gratitude blooms as we see how fear’s path led to deeper dependence on Jesus. Job, for example, who endured unimaginable loss, declared, “I know that you can do all things.” After fear, turning inward fosters growth, transforming scars into stars that shine on our witness. In holy hindsight, it is here that we grow resilience, ready to deal with the next challenge.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
By removing fear from the world, a sacred emptiness is left behind, inviting the fullness of God to emerge. According to 2 Timothy 1:7, God has given us a spirit not of fear, but rather of power, love, and self-control. What was once a monstrous void now becomes fertile ground for peace, where anxiety fades into silence. Neither lingering debris nor haunting residue remains—only the assurance that “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).
Elijah fled Jezebel and God whispered into the void of the cave (1 Kings 19:12). As fear vanishes, we reclaim territory for the Kingdom, stepping into boldness that glorifies Christ as we plant seeds of worship, Scripture, and service. Empty of dread, we are filled with divine purpose.
Only Jesus and I will remain.
As the litany concludes triumphantly, we emerge unshakeable, our true selves, God’s image-bearers, unaffected by trials. According to Romans 8:37, we are “more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Fear’s departure reveals the eternal “I” created in Christ’s image and enduring. As Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did in the fiery furnace, we emerge unbound, without even smelling the smoke (Daniel 3:27).
This remaining is the embodiment of eternal life in the present: unshaken by circumstances, rooted in the vine. As trials forge us, our authentic, Spirit-indwelt self endures, a beacon to others who are ensnared by fear. Rejoice, for in Christ, you are unbreakable—fear comes and goes, but you remain forever ensnared by His love.
As we close this litany, let it become your daily prayer, a shield against fear’s assaults. In Jesus, the ultimate Fear-Conqueror, we find not just survival, but thriving abundance. Embrace your fear with faith today. Let us build each other up. Grace and peace to all.
As you all know different things inspire different people. This Litany was inspired by the code of a fictional group in the Dune Universe. Rest in peace Frank Herbert. you’re genius is missed.
