Overcoming Fear and Anxiety
Fear and Shame
Are you fearful? Has fear ruled your entire life? Do you know what causes you to fear? Wait, don’t answer that! I’m sure that you probably don’t have a clue and that’s why you’re still struggling with fear. Do you have a strategy to finally conquer your fears? No! It’s Okay. There are 7 ways that you can change from being a fearful person to becoming a person with confidence in the Lord and begin your journey to overcoming fear and anxiety (the Biblical way) once and for all.
Fear and shame have been one of the biggest obstacles that I’ve allowed to keep me in shackles. It never even dawned on me how much fear controlled my day to day activities. I’ve always wanted to do so many different things, and of course I thought that procrastination was the culprit, but it was fear all along.
When we allow fear and shame to control our lives, it begins to affect us physically, and we begin to have symptoms, such as heart palpitations, nervousness, chest discomfort, and nausea. You feel as if you are detached from yourself. It’s like having an outer body experience. These symptoms are caused by what psychiatry and psychology calls panic attacks. Once you’ve had one or more unexpected attacks, then you’re diagnosed as having a Panic Disorder.
Paralyzed by Fear
For so long, you have been paralyzed by fear. You never went back to school because you were afraid that you weren’t smart enough. That book wasn’t written because you were afraid and ashamed to tell your story. The business didn’t stand a chance because you were afraid that it would fail.
You must realize that it’s the fear of the unknown and the fear of uncertainty that has been keeping you bound. Ahhmm yeah! I’m sure that you’re thinking, “who me? I’ain never scared.” Yes, I’m talking to you. As light as you may want to take it and try to portray that fear does not exist in your realm. I think not! It’s there steering you in the face and you bow down to it every time.
Do It Scared
Other than beating cancer while being afraid, for once during my adulthood, I allowed fear to be the driving force that pushed me to become a healthier me. That’s a story that I am very proud of. It’s called, “What Fear Caused Me To Do and the 3 Steps That Got Me Through.” So, you too can overcome fear and anxiety!
Times to Be Afraid
Did you know there are appropriate times to be afraid? For example, when fear promotes a healthy respect for danger – let’s just say there’s an aggressive alligator in your back yard coming towards you, that doesn’t mean you’re going to pet it. You know that thing’s dangerous! The other appropriate time to be afraid is to fear God. Now I’m not sure about you, but I don’t have any problems fearing God. Proverbs 1:29 says, “The fear of the Lord is a choice.” I choose to fear God!
On the other hand, there are times when fear is inappropriate or sinful. First, fear of man and not fear of God is sinful. (see Pr 28:1; 29:25) Oh boy, I’m guilty! I straddled the fence with this one and chose to fear God. But. I was unknowingly fearing man at the same time. I was afraid of what people would say or think of me, when the only person that should have mattered was God.
Do You Fear God or Man?
Do you fear God or man? The next inappropriate time is when fear hinders us from fulfilling our God-given responsibilities. (see Luke 19:12-27) Listen when I tell you that this stepped all on my toes. Multiple times, God had given me the opportunity to fulfill the responsibilities that He gave me, but because I lived in fear, I was overlooked every time. I was just like the servant that kept the money and did absolutely nothing with it. Are you fulfilling your God-given responsibilities?
Another sinful time is when fear is used to manipulate others. (see Daniel 3; 1 Sam 17) King Nebuchadnezzar tried to used fear to manipulate Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego. He was angry because they would not bow down and worship his gold statue, so he told them if they did not obey, they were going to be thrown into the fiery furnace. They feared God more than man. This one is off the charts for me. I’m not a manipulator! Are you using fear to manipulate others?
All About Us
It is also sinful when you’re focusing on yourself, rather than loving God and others. (see 1 John 4:18) Often times it’s all about what belongs to us and how we feel, rather than showing love to others. God showed us how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life. Love gives and fear takes away. With God’s love, we can cast out fear once and for all. Are you focusing on yourself or God and others?
Lastly, whenever fear is the result of unsound thinking, self-perpetuating and uncontrolled, it is inappropriate and may lead to a sinful reaction. (2 Tim 1:7) Here we go! Guilty again! I am raising both hands to perfectionism and OCD. For several years, the struggle has been real and very frustrating. I’ve been trying to figure out the root cause of these two unpleasant spirits. They have haunted me far too long. What about you? Are you a perfectionist? A controller? Do you struggle with OCD? It’s time to overcome fear and anxiety once and for all. Let’s begin breaking these chains by building your confidence in the Lord.
