If you look at an object in the distance while you’re driving, you’ll notice that the closer you get to that object, the larger it is. Let’s say it’s a mountain. It might look like a hill from a distance or merely a bump in the road. In the same way, once you get past that object you’ll notice it decreases in size. There’s a simple reason for this. Our field of vision is shaped like a funnel that starts in the center of the eye and spreads out. The closer an object is to your eye the more space it takes up in that field of vision.

Now, let’s apply that concept to the way we view fear. The more space we give to our fear, the larger it seems. And so, it’s not so much that our problems are big per se, it’s the space they’re taking up in our thoughts, or our mental field of vision. The less we think about them, i.e., problems we dealt with years ago, the smaller they seem.

So, how to we minimize them? We take away their ability to live rent free in our minds.

We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5b, NIV)

When we take our thoughts captive, we decide what goes and what stays. We trade lies for the truth. We pull out the weeds and plant flowers. We fill our minds with thoughts that nourish and encourage the soul. When we do that, we put God front and center in our field of vision, until He’s the only thing we can see.

In A Love Worth Giving, Max Lucado writes, “You are not a victim of your thoughts. You have a vote. You have a voice. You can exercise thought prevention. You can also exercise thought permission.”

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8, NIV)


Tilling the Soil

If you find yourself fearful about the future, minimize your fear by maximizing the Lord. Dig into His Word, fill your home with worship music, share the scriptures you are reading with others.

Planting Hope

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8, NIV)


Busy Books Bible Study for Kids is out now and available at Amazon! “The Life of Jesus” (Part 1), takes kids on a journey through the New Testament. With a wide range of stories, questions, and fun activities, children are not only learning the Bible–they’re deeply engaged with God’s Word.


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About the Author

DARLENE SCHACHT is an award-winning and NYT best-selling author. She is the founder of Time-Warp Wife Ministries, an online publication that encourages women to live Christ-centered lives.

Her passion for scripture and hunger for truth is the driving force behind a unique ministry that offers Bible studies and daily marriage prayers. Darlene is joined by her husband Michael on the daily podcast “5-Minute Marriage.”


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