Jan 18th 2018

This article (or mini booklet) takes about an hour or two to read, you can start reading and bookmark us and come back always

Contents

Preface
Identification Parade
Meet the two cousins
How they are related?
Mr. Fear and Mr. Anxiety come as infants but grow into Adults
Anxiety and the Worldly view
Let’s look at the kind of effects Fear & Anxiety can have on our body from a worldly perspective
What is Fear and Anxiety?
Biblical explanation of Fear and Anxiety
Backdrop of Deuteronomy Chapter 7
What Are The 7 Nations And Who Is Fear?
Who Are The Hittites And How They Relate To Fear And Anxiety?
How to overcome Fear and Anxiety using Duet 7
Now lets us look at some broader situations and the Biblical answers.
Why the nations?

Preface

This article has been a long overdue assignment but I am blessed to be able to finally share it and reveal how God is always there for you, no matter what we go through in life.

The foundation of this article is a prophecy received from a Servant of God on the June 6th 2012 when the Holy Spirit gave an insight on the journey of facing the 7 nations (referencing Deuteronomy Chapter 7). At the the time it made no real sense to me. However, as I look back, it has been an amazing journey of facing and getting through dark paths, fearful incidents, coupled with anxiety filled days.

Prior to 2012 I was a fun-loving person with an ‘I Don’t Care Attitude’!

I never really bothered to figure out what fear or anxiety was, as confidence and courage was preeminent in me. But as time moved on, in the subsequent years, I started sweating bullets for every and any situation to the point where simple things/tasks in life seemed too complicated to handle. Anxiety used to grip me from the time I wake up to the time I went to sleep.

Nonetheless, Praise God for His faithfulness and His Word that he brought me out and today I am happy to share my journey and encourage you not give up. If you are suffering from Fear And Anxiety, don’t worry God has a plan to bring you out.

This article has been written to highlight the detrimental effects that the Hittites (Fear & Anxiety – one of the seven nations mentioned in the bible) can have on a Christian, in particular yet how we have hope and deliverance from them, because of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ!

Identification Parade

For this article I am referring to the main enemy as ‘Fear and Anxiety’, however they are a rather large family covering: Subliminal Torments, Phobias, Terror, Depression Etc….

The English Dictionary defines Fear as;

“a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid or concern or anxiety; solicitude:”

The family includes foreboding, apprehension, consternation, dismay, dread, terror, fright, panic, horror, trepidation, qualm, phobia, aversion; bête noire, bogy, bogey, bugbear.

Hence even though the article title reads “Fear and Anxiety” it also covers any one of the above mentioned conditions.

Meet the Two Cousins

Fear and Anxiety go hand in hand.

Usually Mr. Fear shows himself first and then Mr. Anxiety turns up. They live very close by, so if you meet Mr. Fear you are bound to meet Mr. Anxiety as well. They are related, in fact they are first cousins. They substantiate each other’s existence.

You invite Mr. Fear you are bound to get introduced to Mr. Anxiety and vice versa. They help each other and are well connected.

As children or relatively young people we meet only Mr. Fear but as we grow older and become more aware of our being and surroundings Mr. Anxiety steps in.

Let me go ahead and explain in more detail:

How are they related?

If you are a parent, you will know that kids or toddlers tend to develop some kind of fear, when we try to discipline them through a harsh tone or some disciplinary action. For that given instance, they back out in fear, but this fear moves away after some time and all is forgotten, and they will do again the very same thing we reprimanded them for. The cycle repeats itself and they are scared again!

As adults, similar instances can take place in our day to day activities or interactions which can hurt us (emotionally) and embed a seed of fear which eventually gets a stronghold on our mind. Then to avoid that hurt or fear we remain in state of being overtly careful to avoid any instances of fear only to realize that we have warmly welcomed Mr. Anxiety into our midst.

Kids

As kids we do fear but then it doesn’t really register deep and it’s all forgotten and we are free!!

Normal adults

As normal adults, we fear and remember the fear and recollect it at the next fearful incident which is normal behavior. But in between the fears we don’t think about it. Only when it is needed our brains remember the incident.

Anxious Adults

For an anxious adult an abnormal behavior takes place. Fear will come but never goes away but instead is replaced with episodes of anxiousness.

The period gap when fear needs to revisit you in the form of life incidents or illnesses etc. etc. is occupied by Anxiety.

Examples are:

1. You may get diagnosed with a disease and you worry about your health and life. You would have been a carefree person and suddenly you worry how every small thing can affect you

2. A very close loved one passes away unexpectedly and you develop a fear for death or anxiety for illness.

3. You may face a very embarrassing situation like fainting in a crowd and suddenly you worry about fainting again every time

4. You may have a sudden legal case thrown at you and now you worry about what the outcome is going to be

5. You may get embarrassed in a crowed and suddenly you cannot face people or go into crowds, you were once confident in meeting people but now the mere thought scares you away and prefer to hide

6. As you age you may read about death or even associate closely with death and suddenly you fear death and you just cannot live each day.

7. You may have brought up kids and you need to release them into the world and lose control but you suddenly worry about whether they will cope and survive

The list goes on and on.

It starts with one incident and anxiety begins to slowly and gradually controls your entire life where you become paralyzed in fear. Eventually you may start with panic attacks without self-realizing.

Then you reach a point where you cannot figure out a reason for your anxiousness but you still feel anxious and eventually it becomes a part and parcel of your daily routine.

Mr. Fear and Mr. Anxiety come as infants but grow into Adults

Fear and Anxiety have the ability to spread and grow just as good and evil both grow in our lives.

Have you seen an alcoholic misbehave on the way side or a gambler who has just gambled all his savings? They did not start off this way. What you are seeing now is years of downturn. What starts off as an innocent social wine drink has led the alcoholic probably down this path or what the gambler started as relaxing online net bet card games has led him down this path.

It always starts small and it grows over the years until the person has fallen in the dumps.

Same way good also grows. Have you seen a terrible person who has turned out to be role model or a powerful preacher? Do you think it happened over night? Not really, what started off with a witness, a church visit, sermons, baptism and over the years slowly make the person a new creation.

Likewise if you suffer from Fear and Anxiety and it has grown over time to come to your present state> Hence don’t be fooled it will not stop, it will grow further unless you stand up. Today is the day to stop the spread. If not it will continue to grow and paralyze you from doing the very simple things in life.

Since you have been introduced to the family of Fear and their relatives, now let us know look at broader things.

Anxiety and the Worldly view

Fear and Anxiety causes stress and most doctors around the world agree that stress is not good for you as over time, the physiological demands can take a toll on your body.

For the understanding of this article I have classified Stress into two broad categories:

The first one being our life and its commitments like family, career which we cannot run from but have to face and it isn’t always negative. It’s like an experience which gives us the resilience and strength to respond to future stressful situations.

The second one is the dreaded detrimental stress – Fear & Anxiety. Both creep in at repeated intervals on irrelevant situations or causes but they eventually take over your whole being in a manner where you feel like there is no way out.

Example:

You are waiting for a medical test result and you fear the worst based on your symptoms/suffering. Hence, until the report is handed over you barely are at peace, you cannot sleep or eat and you are very anxious and stressed. Here if you note you cannot control the end result but you are unnecessarily getting anxious and stressing yourself.

As a child of God the former stress and latter stress both will work for your benefit. However, the latter is not good for you and you need to destroy it. That is the purpose of this article.

1 Pet 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. “ (NIV)

Let’s look at the kind of effects Fear & Anxiety can have on our body from a worldly perspective:

Psychologists agree that Anxiety comes with over 50 or more symptoms:

50 common signs and symptoms of stress

1. Frequent headaches, jaw clenching or pain
2. Gritting, grinding teeth
3. Stuttering or stammering
4. Tremors, trembling of lips, hands
5. Neck ache, back pain, muscle spasms
6. Light headedness, faintness, dizziness
7. Ringing, buzzing or “popping sounds
8. Frequent blushing, sweating
9. Cold or sweaty hands, feet
10. Dry mouth, problems swallowing
11. Frequent colds, infections, herpes sores
12. Rashes, itching, hives, “goose bumps”
13. Unexplained or frequent “allergy” attacks
14. Heartburn, stomach pain, nausea
15. Excess belching, flatulence
16. Constipation, diarrhea, loss of control
17. Difficulty breathing, frequent sighing
18. Sudden attacks of life threatening panic
19. Chest pain, palpitations, rapid pulse
20. Frequent urination
21. Diminished sexual desire or performance
22. Excess anxiety, worry, guilt, nervousness
23. Increased anger, frustration, hostility
24. Depression, frequent or wild mood swings
25. Increased or decreased appetite
26. Insomnia, nightmares, disturbing dreams
27. Difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts
28. Trouble learning new information
29. Forgetfulness, disorganization, confusion
30. Difficulty in making decisions
31. Feeling overloaded or overwhelmed
32. Frequent crying spells or suicidal thoughts
33. Feelings of loneliness or worthlessness
34. Little interest in appearance, punctuality
35. Nervous habits, fidgeting, feet tapping
36. Increased frustration, irritability, edginess
37. Overreaction to petty annoyances
38. Increased number of minor accidents
39. Obsessive or compulsive behavior
40. Reduced work efficiency or productivity
41. Lies or excuses to cover up poor work
42. Rapid or mumbled speech
43. Excessive defensiveness or suspiciousness
44. Problems in communication, sharing
45. Social withdrawal and isolation
46. Constant tiredness, weakness, fatigue
47. Frequent use of over-the-counter drugs
48. Weight gain or loss without diet
49. Increased smoking, alcohol or drug use
50. Excessive gambling or impulse buying

There is no any other condition or sickness which has so many effects on the body as Anxiety. It can even mimic conditions like heart attack and fainting. The possibilities are endless.
It starts with our mind (a single place) and it can affect our entire body from the head to toe. However, interestingly the Bible says it effects our heart.

Pro 12:25 Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. (NIV)

John Hopkins school of medicine released a study on Anxiety and effect of the heart titled “Anxiety and Heart Disease”

They only proved what the Word of God said

The Specialist who wrote the paper says

“It’s my view and my personal clinical experience that anxiety disorders can play a major role in heart disease, I believe that a really careful look at anxiety would reveal the ways it can severely impact heart disease, both as a contributing factor and as an obstacle in recovery.”

Recurring anxious thoughts may impede your ability to get regular sleep. Your thoughts about what lies ahead may be extremely negative and cause a drastically foreshortened outlook of the future. The effect of anxiety on the heart is their body reacts in ways that can put an extra strain on their heart. The physical symptoms of anxiety can be especially damaging among individuals with existing cardiac disease.

Anxiety may have an association with the following heart disorders and cardiac risk factors:

Rapid heart rate (tachycardia) – In serious cases, can interfere with normal heart function and increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
Increased blood pressure – If chronic, can lead to coronary disease, weakening of the heart muscle, and heart failure.
Decreased heart rate variability – May result in higher incidence of death after an acute heart attack.

What is Fear and Anxiety?

In the ancient Hebrew Bible, the anxiety symbol was shows as;

The pictograph d is a picture of a tent door which is a curtain hung over the entrance of the tent. To gain entrance to the tent or to leave, the curtain moved back and forth. Also, the door is used for moving back and forth from the tent to the outside. The c is a representation of a foot. The combined meaning of these two letters is “the back and forth moving of the foot (תאל tail) “. The tail of a fish moves back and forth to propel itself through the water. The darting around of fish. (eng: dog – as a waging tail)

This is very interesting as an anxious person is not stable constantly moving back and forth without a purpose and wasting time and energy.

Another variation of the symbol explains as the back and forth darting of a fish in the water. Or An anxious behavior like a fish darting in the water.

Hence, we know anxiety is meaningless motions in cycles without a purpose.

These can be irrelevant thoughts or repetitive actions with no real outcome.

Biblical explanation of Fear and Anxiety

Deuteronomy Chapter Seven is the key chapter which explains everything in detail.

As you read this remember that Fear and Anxiety are one of the Nations – Hittites

A Chosen People

Deu 7:1 When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;
Deu 7:2 And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:
Deu 7:3 Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.
Deu 7:4 For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.
Deu 7:5 But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.
Deu 7:6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
Deu 7:7 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
Deu 7:8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
Deu 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Deu 7:10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.
Deu 7:11 Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.
Deu 7:12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers:
Deu 7:13 And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
Deu 7:14 Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.
Deu 7:15 And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.
Deu 7:16 And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee.
Deu 7:17 If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?
Deu 7:18 Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;
Deu 7:19 The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid.
Deu 7:20 Moreover the LORD thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed.
Deu 7:21 Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible.
Deu 7:22 And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.
Deu 7:23 But the LORD thy God shall deliver them unto thee, and shall destroy them with a mighty destruction, until they be destroyed.
Deu 7:24 And he shall deliver their kings into thine hand, and thou shalt destroy their name from under heaven: there shall no man be able to stand before thee, until thou have destroyed them.
Deu 7:25 The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God.
Deu 7:26 Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.
The chapter can be categorized as

VERSE 1
Summary of God’s plan with assurance that it is done!
VERSE 2
The summary of destruction
VERSE 3-6
The process of destruction (four R’s) remnants, reasons, reiteration and revelation
VERSE 7
Don’t think you were chosen because you are any good, in fact you are most unworthy
VERSE 8
You are chosen because of a promise made before your time and the intercession prayers of your loved ones
VERSE 9 – 10
Know your God and redeemer who says these things. He is one to fear and awe
VERSE 11-16
The rewards for your faithfulness
VERSE 17-19
Don’t be afraid I will do it, although you are a afraid now, it’s okay, I understand, anyway I will do it, says God
VERSE 20-23
Style of victory and hidden phased out plan for our own benefit
VERSE 24-26
Final reminder and instructions

Backdrop of Deuteronomy Chapter 7

The story of Deuteronomy Chapter 7 is actually the part two of a greater story.

The part one begins in Exodus Chapter 1 and concludes in Exodus Chapter 14.

This is where we are bonded and born in Sin, at one point in our lives, we are squashed in bondage and our soul cries to God. God comes down personally and starts the process of rescuing us. The process is like a battle that goes back and forth like the 7 plagues, where Satan releases then pulls back, then after a while we are released in full and start our journey with Christ and just when we think we are saved a final trial appears like the Red Sea, with which are completely redeemed.

You can be a well nurtured Christian or a new one; you may have fought many of life’s battles like, Alcoholism, Smoking, Sins of the Flesh, Gambling, Anger, Theft, Physiological Battles and many other forms of bondage. The process of freeing yourself from these bondages is not easy as the entire works in cycles of release and being pulled back in again. After facing a good share of this bondage when you think you are free, the Final Trial comes out of nowhere, again in a force that’s unimaginable to your human self, like the Red Sea Trial.

This is when God in His power and grace brings you out of that and your final battle with the old past life and its bondages are put to rest forever and ever. Here onwards the journey of life continues and you will no longer see the Egyptians (Bondage again)

KJV Exo 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever.

Now after you go on the journey towards the promised land, you will encounter 7 nations which is explained in Deuteronomy Chapter 7.

These 7 nations you will only encounter after the Red Sea trial.

It is important to note – that the 7 nations are the 7 Spirit types which specifically attack only saved Christians.

It is also important to note that when you were in bondage you did know these nations, your cry was for freedom, you were protected by the Egyptians themselves who bonded you. It is also important to note that the 7 nations did not come out immediately after the Red Sea trial.

This is why I mentioned that Fear and Anxiety visits experienced weather-beaten Christians and in some cases even Pastors or prominent church leaders. It also usually is around middle age or when you are older. It comes in the mid-way or latter journey of your life on this earth.

These will be 7 nations mightier and stronger than you, but don’t fear God will help you destroy them completely.

What Are The 7 Nations And Who Is Fear?

Nation Meaning Descriptions

Hittites > Sons of terror > Subliminal torments, phobias, terror, depression, deceit
Girgashites > Clay dwellers > Focus on earthliness, unbelief in what cannot be seen
Amorites > Mountain people; renowned > Obsession with earthly fame and glory, domineering
Canaanites > Lowlands people > Addictions, perversions, exaggerated people-pleasing
Perizzites > Belonging to a village > Limited vision, laziness, low self-esteem
Hivites > Villagers > Vision limited to enjoying an earthly inheritance, hedonism
Jebusites > Threshers > Suppression of spiritual authority in fellow believers, legalism

Please remember that each of us have to face the Seven Nations but some maybe stronger than others, in fact as Hittites starts off first it is considerably the strongest in our lives.

Who Are The Hittites And How They Relate To Fear And Anxiety?

The Hittites occupied the region of Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) prior to 1700 BCE, developed a culture apparently from the indigenous Hatti people, and expanded their territories into an empire which rivaled, and threatened, the established nation of Egypt.
They are repeatedly mentioned throughout the Old Testament as the adversaries of the Israelites. According to Genesis 10, they were the descendants of Heth, son of Canaan, who was the son of Ham, born of Noah (Genesis 10: 1-6). The name they are known by today, therefore, comes from the Bible and from the Amarna Letters of Egypt which reference a “Kingdom of Kheta” identified today as the `Kingdom of Hatti’ (the designation the land of the Hittites was known by) but their own documents refer to them as Nesili, as do others of the time. Their control of the region is divided by modern-day scholars into two periods: The Old Kingdom (1700-1500 BCE), and the New Kingdom, also known as the Hittite Empire (1400-1200 BCE). The Hittite Empire reached its peak between under the reign of King Suppiluliuma I (c.1344-1322 BCE) and his son Mursilli II (c.1321-1295 BCE) after which it declined and, after repeated attacks by the Sea Peoples and the Kaska tribe, fell to the Assyrians.

Little was known of the Hittites other than the references from the Bible and fragmentary documentation from Egypt until the late 19th century CE when excavations began at Boghaskoy (modern-day Bogazkale, Turkey) which was once the site of Hattusa, capital of the Hittite Empire. Historian Christopher Scarre describes Hattusa as “a vast fortress-city sprawling over the rocky terrain, with craggy citadels and elaborate temples. It became the center of a powerful empire that covered not only most of Anatolia but also at times extended far to the south, into Syria and the Levant” (206). Hattusa was originally founded by the Hatti (an aboriginal tribe of Anatolia) in 2500 BCE, and their culture may have provided the basis for that of the Hittites.

1) Hittites used war chariots and Lions as part of their campaign and territory markings

Example Lion Gate at Hattusa which has massive lion carvings and the Relief orthostat (stone slab at base of wall) of war chariot from Sam’al (Turkey), west side of citadel gate; Basalt; Late Hittite period (9th cent BCE); Museum of the Ancient Orient, Istanbul Archaeological Museums.

We know that these were to instill terror and fear in the campaigns.

2) Their domain was physically very difficult to destroy

Historian Christopher Scarre describes Hattusa as “a vast fortress-city sprawling over the rocky terrain, with craggy citadels and elaborate temples

The domain once created was built slowly overtime so that destruction was virtually impossible. The same with Fear and anxiety given the chance they get into our minds and create fortress and take over our mind and are virtually impossible to destroy except through the power of his word

3) The name Hittites itself means terror

the derivatives of our verb חתת (hatat) are:

The masculine noun חת (hat), which is commonly translated with terror or fear (Genesis 9:2, Job 41:25). The word חת (hat) often occurs together with the word ירא (yare), meaning to fear or be afraid (see for instance Genesis 9:2). This latter word means besides simply be afraid, also to revere, an intellectual anticipation of evil (as HAW Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament puts it), and even righteous behavior and formal religious worship. In other words, the Hebrew understanding of fear and terror wasn’t as simple as that of ours but also encompassed the source and the consequence of fear.

I. The adjective חת (hat), which is identical to the previous word and is commonly said to mean shattered or dismayed (1 Samuel 2:4, Ezekiel 32:30, Jeremiah 46:5).
II. The masculine noun חתת (hatat), meaning terror as used in Job 6:21 only.
III. The feminine noun חתה (hitta), meaning terror (Genesis 35:5 only). Note how this noun resembles the verb חתה (hata).
IV. The masculine noun חתחת (hathat), meaning terror. It’s only used in plural, and only in Ecclesiastes 12:5.
V. The feminine noun חתית (hittit), meaning terror
(Ezekiel 32:23).
a. The feminine noun מחתה (mehitta), meaning destruction, ruin or terror
(Psalms 89:40, Proverbs 10:14).

Hittites tactics was to use terror which in today’s context refers to our mind being terrorized by Worries, Fears, Anxiety, Phobias …

What have we learnt up to now?

1) We know that we have to take a path through the desert after salvation
2) We have to face these seven nations in our lives
3) These nations are something we never knew of before salvation
4) They are stronger and mightier than us
5) But God promises to destroy on our behalf.

How to overcome Fear and Anxiety using Duet 7

Now we come to the most important section in our study, how to overcome Fear and Anxiety

Hittites (Fear and Anxiety) is purely a mind problem; it has been created within your mind. You have permitted it to come into your mind and carve itself a nice position. The fellow has built a vast empire of stone just like the Hittites in your mind. In fact, they have made idols in your mind and taken over your mind.

What I mean when I say it’s a mind problem? let me explain.

Close your eyes for a moment and think of a safe place with your loved ones and you doing something you enjoy. Forget all the dangers and imagine a relaxed place, warmth, happiness, joy, health and fun. How do you feel? Good! nice and relaxed.
Now imagine a fearful incident, imagine like you are walking down the road and an animal charges at you in the dark evening. It’s ferocious and wild like a roaring lion. How do you feel? Anxious?

Both situations were created in the mind and nothing has happened still. You are reading this article in your safe surroundings. Yet one thought made you calm and the other one made you anxious.

We self-create our problems which then gets us worried and inevitably makes us anxious about situations we are not sure of the outcome. Our anxiousness does not solve any problem, on the contrary, it just makes us feel horrible. It is a waste of energy as the outcome anyway is decided by God. Your anxiousness did not decide anything.

Prior to writing this article I have done research on the worldly view to defeat anxiety and they are as follows:

1. Anxious thoughts release chemicals like Adrenalin and all what you feel is common side effects of Adrenaline

Examples are;
> Increase Heart Rate
> Sudden intense fright
> Chest pains
> Pounding chest
> Unsteady breathing
> Urge to escape or runaway
> Unable to keep calm (example pacing or fidgeting)
> Sense of floating
> Racing thoughts
> Shortness of breath
> Feeling dizzy
> Tunnel Vision
> Sweating
> Hyper Sensitivity
> Panic Attacks

2. Don’t work out solutions in your mind

Also called “what if” thoughts, they will not help you and will not change your ultimate situation on what are you anxious about in the first place. You will be exhausted by the entire never ending thought trails of “what If”

3. Don’t fear anxiety

It is just a thought in your mind, it will not kill you or harm you. Most importantly it will not change the decision or result of what you are anxious about. Take it head on and don’t fear

4. Stop over thinking and body checking

Don’t give it focus and don’t adapt body checking practices or paranoid habits which substantiates your anxious worry.

Example are you fearing or anxious about a medical result, just relax and wait till it comes, don’t do you own medical checkups and don’t browse the net looking for answer.

5. Start doing the usual things (what will you do if you did not have anxiety?) and try something new

Imagine if you had not fear or anxiety what will you? Try doing that even if you feel uncomfortable. You will be amazed at what you can do and how can you overcome anxious by just repeatedly doing what you are trying to avoid.

6. Keep fit and healthy

Keeping healthy and eating right is also very important. With fear and anxiety, one can go down a path of unhealthy living and eating and over time your unhealthy lifestyle and anxiety can form a link. Eat healthy and do exercises daily.

7. Be patient

your situation did not come over night, it will not go away overnight, So be patient.

These general steps are regarded as the most important points to be able to overcome anxiety, put together by scholars, doctors and experienced over-comers.

What is astonishing is that these steps are already mentioned in the word of God in a much more detailed manner.

Biblically, the key to defeating Fear and Anxiety is referenced in these verses

A Chosen People
Deu 7:2 And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:
Deu 7:3 Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.
Deu 7:5 But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.
Deu 7:16 And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee.
Deu 7:21 Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible.
Deu 7:24 And he shall deliver their kings into thine hand, and thou shalt destroy their name from under heaven: there shall no man be able to stand before thee, until thou have destroyed them.
Deu 7:25 The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God.

Deu 7:26 Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.

1) Biblical Instructions – God will deliver them over

Physical meaning – You will know the problem

Lot of people who suffer from Fear and Anxiety do not really identify the real enemy. They think the incident or situation is the enemy.

Example : If you are diagnosed with an illness, you may suffer from fear and anxiety about the illness. You may be anxious whether it will get worse or better. You think of the enemy as the diagnosis or the illness but it is not. It is the Fear and Anxiety. You may start feeling strange symptoms in your body and you will think it is the illness which is causing these. One of the things about anxiety is that it can mimic symptoms of most illnesses.

A person who has been diagnosed with a heart issue because of anxiety can actually most of the time feel like he is suffering a heart attack.

Deu 7:2 …. And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee;

The very fact that you are reading this article today is the fact that God has showed you the enemy head on

He has handed over the enemy which is fear and anxiety today.

2) Biblical Instructions thou shalt smite them

Physical meaning – Make a deliberate attempt to defeat anxiety

Here the word “smite” is to make a deliberate destructive action. It comes from the Hebrew word “nakah”

Fear and Anxiety as we know is a problem of the mind, it is primarily driven by negative thoughts. We have to make a deliberate attempt not to feed these negative thoughts and keep a positive mind and make a deliberate purposeful ‘will’ to defeat anxiety.

You cannot leave fear and anxiety alone, it will not leave you alone, it will spread, and it will grow! we have to smite it with positive thoughts and by avoiding negative thoughts.

3) Biblical Instructions and utterly destroy them;

Physical meaning – Take action to totally remove fear and anxiety in your life

Here it simply means “total destruction” it also means “irrecoverable destruction” Remember that Fear and Anxiety cannot and should not be a part of your life 100% or 1%. You cannot live with this enemy, he must be totally destroyed. If you leave remnants behind it will multiply and grow back.

Make up your mind firmly that you will destroy this completely. Let’s say you have a fear of blood pressure, just make you sure you destroy that fear completely. Tomorrow when you have a stomach pain don’t think due to my blood pressure I have a stomach ache. It will let the fear mutate and transfer or grow. Make up your mind that you will total destroy fear and anxiety and whatever discomfort comes along will give the same thought. Hence you need to destroy it.

4) Biblical Instructions – Don’t make a treaty with them

Physical meaning – Act relaxed, just like it is a temporary phase

Deu 7:2 …. thou shalt make no covenant with them.

NIV says Make no treaty with them

Treaty is an agreement to co-exist. One thing we must remember is that God has not saved and anointed us to live with fear!

2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

What you are going through is a phase, don’t make a treaty with fear and anxiety and get ready mentally for a lifelong existence.

You have faith that this will not last and you act and do things like this is not going to last. Don’t make actions or life altering decision assuming that what you are facing now will last forever.

Example Do you have a fear of illness, don’t shift your house close to a hospital.

5) Biblical Instruction – Don’t show mercy

Physical meaning – Don’t show sympathy on yourself or the anxiety

Deu 7:2 … nor shew mercy unto them:

Pity or mercy is a dangerous thing when you show it to your enemy. It can make you vulnerable to the enemy and that’s what he is waiting for!

We will look at another incident which happened

2 Kings 20:12-17
“At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.
Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon.
And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.
And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD.
Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.”

Here King Hezekiah is merciful to his enemies and shows them everything in his Kingdom, look what happened, he lost everything.

When it comes to the Hittites, God instructions is very clear. Don’t show ANY mercy. Let’s look at this from a fear and anxiety perspective.

For instance: Mr. John who has been living an extremely healthy lifestyle has been diagnosed with a high blood pressure, which has got him all worried and anxious. He suffered an incident in office where he fainted. Therefore he thought to himself and had mercy on himself and said “I better be careful for the sake of my family”. As a human mind thinks and works he feels that in order to stabilize & control the pressure, he should check his pressure every hour. Hence he purchases himself a pressure testing machine and carries it along wherever he goes and checks his pressure before any task. Without his knowledge he has been feeding the anxiety demon which has slowly crept into his living being and into his pocket and eventually started controlling all his emotions. Finally Mr. John had to check his pressure even if there was no need to do so as he bonded to the anxious spirit. Whenever the pressure machine was not with him he was anxious. All this happens because of a result of self-pity and being gloomy about oneself instead of relying on God and His works.

It is very important to note that you need a water tight mind and not to have any small avenue for sympathy. You show even a little bit of a gap, the Hittite will come inside by wedging in and nicely perch himself up, it will be very difficult to leave.

Jesus used yeast as an example to show how sin can come in, a very small amount or opening and spread himself up.

So don’t show ANY mercy.

6) Biblical Instructions – Do not marry them

Physical meaning – Don’t make commitments based on your Fear And Anxiety

Deu 7:3 Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.

Marriage is a lifelong covenant between two parties. When you marry someone, you lose 50% of your life, desires, needs, wishes and take on the balance 50% from the counterpart and the two become one. It is a life of compromise not control, it is a life of sharing not keeping. It is a life of giving not taking. When it comes to fear and anxiety we should not marry them or start acting like we are married to them. Don’t compromise on yourself and give in.

Let me give an example; If you are suffering from fear of heights, don’t plan your life around avoiding high places, don’t compromise your life style. Don’t give in 50% to fear and anxiousness and compromise and start planning every day in that manner.

7) Biblical Instructions – Deu 7:5 But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.
Physical meaning > Simply put don’t think about it

This verse is the most important verse in this article, it is the key to overcoming fear and anxiety.

What the verse says is;

Destroy > Altars
Breakdown > Images
Cut down > Groves
Burn with fire > Graven images

Altars comes from the Hebrew word zâbach meaning a structure usually made with stone which is used to slaughter animals as sacrifices. It is a sacred place usually in a clearing which is given a lot of prominence and in most case in a high elevation so that all people can see and gather around.

Images comes from the Hebrew word matstsêbâh. Meaning an idol, usually stationed like a column. Unlike Altars which are for events Images are for remembrances which are placed in areas.

Groves comes from the Greek word ăshêrâh. An Asherah pole is a sacred tree or pole that stood near Canaanite religious locations to honor the Ugaritic mother-goddess Asherah, consort of El. Here a person was expected to bow down in front of the Goddess and worship.

Graven Images comes from the Hebrew word pâçal which means a carved wood or image. These are carved with time and care to send a message.

We see four distinct kind of structures here. One to hold an event, another to set a reminder, another to bow down and worship or give in and finally one to send a message.

This is exactly what happens in our mind. We know that Fear and Anxiety are very simply the issue with the mind and nowhere else.

These incident or Fear & Anxieties overtime have set up altars, images, groves and graven images in our minds. Very soon we give them all our focus, reverence, thought and time. Before we know it instead of enjoying life or even worshiping God we give foremost preference and importance to these four areas in our mind.

The key to defeating fear and anxiety is don’t think about it. Don’t give it importance. Get it out of your mind. Even if you think about it for a split-second force it out of your mind and look at something else.

This is where the action ‘Destroy’ comes in which is the Hebrew word means nâthats which is ‘tear down’. Breakdown which comes from the Hebrew word shâbar which means to burst or blast away. Cutdown which comes from the Hebrew word gâdaʻ which means to cut down like a tree and to destroy.

All these words simply tell you to push these thoughts away with deliberate will and force.

Finally it says to burn with fire. Meaning instead of giving importance to thought of fear and anxiety fill yourself with the Holy Spirit. Next time you get any fearful thoughts don’t think about it. Instead start praying in tongues or even simply pray by the Blood.
This is the most important verse and strategy to defeat fear and anxiety!

8) Biblical Instruction – ye were the fewest of all people

Physical Meaning – You are nothing so humble yourself

As we know there are different types of anxieties and phobias which people suffer from, but most have one common link. That is people think a lot about themselves. Example a person suffering from Social Anxieties will often think as to what others will think about them. Their mind is constantly wondering what are people going to think if I do this or If I say that etc.

If you as an example look at Social Anxiety condition. The advice doctors give for such is to stop giving too much importance to yourself. The world is too busy to think or look at you. Everyone is engrossed in their own world and problems of their own. The last thing they will do it think about you.

The Bible had already mentioned this thousands of years ago.

Bible gives this explanation on this verse

Deu 7:7 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:

Don’t think highly if yourself! You are the most unworthy in every way. You exist because God has given you the grace to exist. So be humble and then your anxieties will away.

Example do you have a fear of Social anxiety just remind yourself from this verse that we are actually nothing, no one will be bothered about you. Just be humble, do not unnecessarily exalt yourself. This verse clearly depicts that we are no different from the rest yet God bestows His unconditional love on us without making any prequalifies. This truth will set you free from many of the anxieties you face.

The above verses are the Key to Defeating the Enemy

Now lets us look at some broader situations and the Biblical answers.

1) Fighting Fear With Fear

Deu 7:20 Moreover the LORD thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed.

God does not think like you and me, His thoughts are higher in every way.

Isa 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

As you pray to overcome your fear and anxiety in different circumstances, God can use the destroyer to work out what His plans are. A destroyer in this context is a bigger problem than the situation or fear you are facing.

You may have been wondering how to defeat the Seven Nations however hornets are much more powerful and they destroyed the nations.

Example:
If you are worried about something in your life, God may permit another problem bigger than what you are facing and your focus from the current problem goes away to the new one and you will build a courage which you never knew existed to defeat the first one.

You may think what is happening? I prayed asking God’s help to overcome a problem but a far worse problem has come into my life. Trust God, He knows what He is doing!

2) Look back at wonders not at failures. Hittites thrives on looking back at past failures

Deu 7:17 If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?

Deu 7:18 Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;

Deu 7:19 The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid.
God knew the Israelites were fearful just like us when we face any kind of fear and anxiety it terrifies the daylights out and people who have faced it know it all too well.
It can paralyze you as its created in your mind and it is your own creation you cannot defeat it with self-will.

When you really think about it you God knows your fear and he knows that you cannot defeat it yourself at all.

It like you can fight with someone else and can win or lose but if fight with yourself it will always be a draw. In a more simpler term let’s say there are two people and they are both allowed to hold the same (equal) bank balance by the end of the day and they are permitted to do business with each other. Can one profit and one lose? It cannot happen as both are permitted to have the same balance! Same way as your problem was created by you in your mind you cannot destroy it as you are trying to destroy your own creation. The power of creation and destruction are negated or equal.

God says, ‘Don’t worry, just look back at your own life and see the miracles done’. Has He not rescued from many situations? Has He not saved your life from disasters? Has He not provided for you? Has He not healed you? Has He not moved mountains and given you solutions before? Just look back at the positive things done and be grateful.

Hittites actually thrived using the past. Their war tactics were based on fear and intimidation. Same way our fear and anxieties try to remind of our old bad experience or incidents, we must make a resolution not to think of those and instead focus on what has God has done in our life in the past.

3) Focus on the present only, current window and not too much into the future

Deu 7:22 And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.

We mentioned above this did not start in an instant and it will not end in an instant also.

God clearly says it is a long battle “little by little”

Strive to focus on the PRESENT and stop figuring out the FUTURE. Anxiety builds in your mind with anticipation and ‘what if’ scenarios. Leave these analysis aside and try focusing on the simple things.

Example;
A visit to the hospital to get a diagnosis test conducted for you? Will you allow fear and anxiety to take over? No and you will ask what can be done in such an instance – lets make ourselves well aware of the situation first – We are here for a Diagnosis Test ; Second – lets understand a test needs to have a result – Good Or Bad ; Third – lets understand that even before the result we need to Trust and handover our situation to God who will and has a way for any and every situation. Calm and collective thinking like this will help you and your loved ones face any untimely situation calmly.

Anxiety tends to numb to our thinking and ability to see through things from Gods perspective. Shake that Fear away and focus on the things in your control like your ‘immediate’ thoughts your words and deeds. Then it will be surprise you on how God can intervene on your behalf and you can overcome Fear and Anxiety.

4) Destroy negative thought trails and substitute with positive thoughts

Thoughts in our mind are linked & it spreads. They are like vines which grow and are connected. For example, you may see an apple on the road fallen, you will remember how you ate an apple last and had a stomach ache, you remember how you went to the Doctor to get some medicine. Then you remember an operation which was performed on a friend who was in hospital at the same time. Then you remember how he dies and went to the funeral.

Such is our mind that you can encourage positive or negative thought trails. One moment you are seeing an Apple fallen and the next moment you are scared about your own death.

Anxiety thrives on negative thought trails. We must remember that God is on our side. So why fear? Cut down your negative thoughts, shake out of it. The World has evil and good! both for everything negative thing you think about, there is a positive thing also. Example are you afraid of a medical report on how it can be bad? Well don’t forget it can be good also? So why only worry about it being bad?

Negative thoughts only feed more and more and take you down a path of worry, anxiety, fear and depression. Positive thoughts bring you out of all this.

But you must make a firm decision to snap of out of negative thought trails and only feed positive thoughts in faith. We must capture the thought! That is why it is said;

2 Cor 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Take every thought captive, don’t let the thought take you captive.

Since we have now learnt the history of fear and anxiety, how they operate and thrive and the keys to destroying it, let us see why they exist in the first place? After all, would not the world be a better place without them. Why would God even introduce them to us? Let see.

Why the nations (Why fear and Anxiety)?

I recall the words of the famous song we sing called AMAZING GRACE.

’twas Grace that taught,
my heart to fear.
And grace, my fears relieved.

I think the author of the song had a revelation here. It was Grace that brought fear and it was grace that brought us out of the fear also. Is that not revealing?

The seven nations were a result of the desert journey. In Egypt they were very safe. They did not know about these enemies. Only as a result of the journey they had to encounter them.

Hence, what is the reason for the journey?

Duet 8:2
And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

For me personally this whole journey has showed me how weak I am! That although I thought I was strong it was all in my head. I am personally nothing and even cannot stand against these nations on my own. I don’t have a chance. That is what it showed. I think that is the purpose here. God puts us through these situations to humble us.

Gods purpose of humbling us I believe is to:

1/ Increase our ability and endurance when we get humiliated or ridiculed without a reason.
2/ Know that we are weak, and we cannot do ANYTHING without God
3/ Empathize with others who are weak and not to judge or ridicule them of their misery
4/ Develop a sense of longing for God in everything (sort of a pillar of strength every minute)

Many people who have not faced the true brunt of the nations will not know the meaning of humility in a biblical sense. They will have an air around them, even seasoned Christians will have a sense of pride around them. But when you truly face the nations a true sense of humility comes in.

I have often asked what does God want from me? if there is one thing he would want from me or for me behave or act in a particular way what will it be?
The bible is clear about this;

Mic 6-8

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good;
and what doth the Lord require of thee,
but to do justly, and to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with thy God?

Here ‘humbly’ comes from the Hebrew word ‘Tsana’. Although the word humble or it’s reference are all over the Bible, this particular translation Tsana is surprisingly mentioned only two times in the bible (KJV) once in Pro 11:2 and once on Mic 6:8
The meaning here is to be ‘Lowly and be submissively modest’. Even to the extent of getting humiliated.

Our walk with God sometime can be a humbling journey even we may get shamed or humiliated sometimes. I think facing the nation is a humbling and humiliating process. It shows how weak we are. It shows we are like babies unable to do much expect rely on God. It also brings us face to face with real fear.

I think it is an extremely humbling discovery.

May Jesus give the grace to act according to the word and take on the enemy head on

How to Overcome Fear & Anxiety