The Truth About Fear!

Allow me to give you a little peek into my life. For years (and I literally mean years) I have been held captive by my own fears. Not just little fears, but debilitating fears. If you can name it, I have dealt with the fear of it. Really. Honest.

Now I am not going to put on a false face and tell you that I still don't have work to do because, God knows, I do! I will tell you that with Him I am learning to overcome my fears. It is a slow process. It may take a while to undo, but I am not on this journey alone - my Heavenly Father is with me and it is on Him that I lean on!

While on this journey to overcoming my fears I have learned a lot about fear and worry! I would like to share a few of the things that I have learned:

1. Fear is based on lies, untruths, or other forms of misinformation. It's true! Think about a fear that you have or something that makes you worry. This is based on an untruth. For example, I have a fear that I will get into a car accident. Sometimes it is overwhelming. Some days I just don't even want to get in my car and drive at all! But, if I examine this fear, it clearly is built on an untruth! In the 25 plus years that I have been driving I have never been in a car accident. I have been in little "fender benders" but no big accidents. Take the time to examine your fears. They really are based on lies, misinformation, or and untruths!

2. Fear builds on more fear. Yes, it is true... the more you fear, the more you fear. Seems simple enough, but this can be detrimental! Fears can spiral out of control if you do not stop them. Believe me, I know! What starts out as a little fear (based on lies, untruth, and misinformation) can quickly turn into multiple fears if one is not careful. I can honestly say that little fears can turn into BIG fears over the years. For example, as I child I was afraid of bees. I was allergic to them and the thought of being stung scared me! This later (at age 42) has turned into a fear of any flying insect! Not just bees! I am fearful of ANY flying creature! How does that happen? Know that fear builds on more fear - and we need to keep our fears "in check."

We also, in some instances, take on the fears of others. My good friend (knowing my fear of insects and creepy crawlies) told me that she loves to lay outside, in the grass, on her blanket. One day she was laying there and thought of me (I don't like or want creepy crawlies on me and would never lay in the grass). She said she jumped up because she thought of the creepy crawlies that could possibly be on her. DONT'T TAKE ON THE FEAR OF OTHERS! I feel awful to think that she may have this fear now as well. I would never wish that on my worst enemy! Be careful to not take on the fears of others.

3. Worry & Fear go hand in hand - they are best friends. I have found that worry and fear do indeed go hand in hand! The things that I fear I worry about and, likewise, I worry about those things that I fear. An example of worry based on fears is that I have a teenager. I "worry" about the influences at high school. Thus is due to a "fear" that I have from my own high school days. A different example of how my fear causes me to worry: I live in a small rural area. I grew up in a small town as well. However, I am afraid someone will break into my home (this fear is based on a untruth because the crime rate in my town is near zero). Anyways, the "fear" that someone will break into my home causes me to "worry" about this when I am home alone. I need to rid myself if both worry and fear! They are best friends, but they are NOT my friends!

4. Fear can't exist with Faith - they are exact opposites. Fear and Faith are the opposite. Think of them as light and dark, black and white, or chocolate and vanilla. They are not the same AND they can not be in the same place at the same time. You either have one or the other. A dark room can't hide even the smallest flicker of light! Shine your light of faith on your fears!

5. Your words and thoughts are like wild horses - they need tamed! I watched wild horses the other day on the television and it reminded me how my thoughts (and the way I think) need tamed! Wild horses are strong and fast - like my negative thoughts! I need to fill my words and thoughts with positive thoughts. I need to think on things that are pure, true, and lovely. I don't need to think on things that are dark, untrue, or detrimental - like my fears! Changing my thoughts and words will "tame" my wild horses!






I'm sharing this at: Monday Meet Up / Motivating Monday / Titus 2sday / Teach Me Tuesday / Gratituesday / Tuesday LinkUp / Wise Woman Linkup / Thriving Thursdays / Thoughtful Thursday / Fellowship Fridays /