Overcoming a Phobia, Part 2

Welcome to Part Two of our series on phobias. In Part One, we learned that germaphobia is just one of thousands of phobias. A phobia is the irrational fear of something that’s not dangerous. We considered the prevalence and types of phobias, and their signs and symptoms.

Now let’s talk about the biblical solutions to overcoming a phobia.

Steps Toward Victory

Christian speaker and author Patsy Clairmont battled agoraphobia for 17 years. Her fear became so overwhelming that she couldn’t even leave her bed. But she didn’t stay there. She took small steps, prayed, and started memorizing Scripture. That’s where real change begins.

You see, fear feeds on repetition. The more you give in, the stronger it gets. But love—love for God and others—overpowers fear. When you replace fear with love, victory follows. Here’s how to do it:

1. Be Realistic

Fear is a habit. And habits take time to break. But don’t give up. Make an action plan to renew your mind through Scripture. And then—expose yourself to the feared object or situation, little by little.

2. Do the Basics

The basics help discipline your mind and body and put you in the best place to face your fears and flourish. Sleep 7-9 hours, eat well, drink water, exercise, and avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol. A medical checkup is a good idea, too.

3. Renew Your Mind

Cut out the negative stuff—social media, news, anything that triggers anxiety. Instead, fill your mind with God-honoring alternatives like the Bible and hymns. Your thoughts shape your reality.

4. Pray

Here’s Paul’s prayer prescription for freedom from anxiety: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:6). When fear hits, turn to God in prayer. His peace calms your anxiety.

5. Replace Lies with Truth

Your thoughts drive your emotions and actions. When you replace the lies with God’s truth, He renews your mind and transforms you. Keep a Thought-Emotion-Action journal. When fear says, “I can’t take this anymore,” counter it with, “God’s grace is sufficient for me.”

6. Act On What You Know

Faith isn’t just about knowing the Word—it’s about acting on it, no matter how you feel. When I faced my fear of highway driving, I had to trust God, even if I had a panic attack. I made a plan, stuck with it, and relied on God’s promises. You can do the same.

7. Practice Biblical Meditation

Biblical meditation is about remembering God’s kindness and leaning into Him. When fear threatens, talk to yourself like the psalmist: “Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with me.” (Psalm 116:7). When you remember God’s faithfulness, fear fades in comparison.

Your Next Step

If you’re ready to stop letting fear control your life, let’s connect. I offer biblical counseling via Zoom, so you can start overcoming your phobia from the comfort of your home.

P.S. Don’t forget to grab your FREE GUIDE: 7 Keys to Panic Freedom here.