Since childhood I can recall knowing real fear in my heart. As I got older the same fears remained and others developed like singleness, never graduating college, and a future career. I could never truly trust friends with my whole life because in the back of my mind I already feared and expected their betrayal. To cope, I would hurt others first with something as small as a sarcastic response or a cutting sentence. If I got to you first, you had no chance of getting to me.
A couple weeks ago, I was on my way to work and I got into a car accident. Two weeks after someone broke one of our car windows during the night. All the while I was not able to qualify for a summer position at my workplace and don’t know what I’ll be doing for work this summer.
In this season I’ve been blessed by God to have my health and safety but still have had to go through things that I really thought would paralyze me in fear. God is still working on me but I want to share what is helping me leave fear behind and step out in faith.
1. Know what the Bible says about fear.
These four verses are my quick reminders of who God is, who I am and that this kind of fear has no place in my life. I have them handy and know that when the fear rises I need to get these out and declare God’s truth over my life.
- Psalms 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?
- Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
- 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
- John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
2. Find the source
A lot of my fears stem from the need for control. I know when something has the potential to be out of control that’s when I obsess over it or completely try to block it out. Not dealt with, my control issues turn into fear issues. I try and look at what it is I’m feeling scared about and work backwards from there.
3. Continue to move forward
The first thing that comes to mind is “do it afraid”. I love that saying because if we allow fear and doubt to control us there will never be a time for action. Sometimes you just have to get going with what you got. 2 weeks ago I was having such a rough time getting to church and during the sermon Pastor Josh said, “God is going to meet you, but we learn more in a place of fear and weakness than we ever will in a place of success.” It increased my faith in my situation knowing God is teaching me through my fears.
If you struggle with any kind of fear know that it isn’t God’s plan for you. He created you and adopted you as a daughter so call on him as your Father waiting to rescue you from your fear.
With Love
Mariely