Lecture on Understanding and Overcoming a Spirit of Fear
Speaker Introduction
- Dr. Kevin Chapman
- Guest speaker for August
- Grateful to be part of the Healing Journeys family
Overview
- Focus on understanding and overcoming a spirit of fear
- Use of biblical scripture to provide insights and strategies
Recap of Previous Sessions
- Week 1: Understanding a spirit of fear
- Definition: High trait neuroticism and predisposition to negative emotions
- Manifestations in clinical psychology: Anxiety and related disorders
- Chronic fearfulness and phobias
- Week 2: Essence of a spirit of fear
- Chronic anxiety, what-if thinking, and unpredictability of future events
- Recurrent panic attacks: False alarms and fear responses when no danger exists
Current Session: Activating the New Man
- Focus: Using the word of God to understand and overcome fear
- Scripture as a Foundation:
- Proverbs 23:7: "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he"
- Luke 21:9: Do not be terrified by wars and commotions
- Matthew Chapter 6: Do not worry about your life
- Proverbs 12:25: Anxiety causes depression; a good word makes it glad
Key Concepts
- Three Parts of Emotions: Thoughts, physical sensations, and behaviors
- Chronic Anxiety: Negative coping strategies and avoidance
- Spirit of Fear: Mindset of present and future danger
Strategies for Activating the New Man
- Activate the Spirit of Your Mind
- Confront Situations that Trigger a Spirit of Fear (to be covered next session)
Practical Strategies
- New Man Questions:
- Evaluate evidence for thoughts
- What does God’s word say about outcomes?
- Challenge certainty of negative predictions
- Recall past experiences and God's deliverance
- Old Man/New Man Dialogue:
- Write down negative thoughts (Old Man) and challenge them with New Man responses
- Based on biblical truths to counter fear and anxiety
Conclusion
- Encouragement to practice these strategies
- Importance of meditating on God's word to activate the new man
- Contact information for further questions and resources
Next Steps
- Next session: Confronting situations that trigger a spirit of fear
- Use of scripture to guide and support this process
Dr. Chapman encourages continued learning and application of these principles to overcome fear and anxiety with the help of biblical teachings. Reach out for support as needed.