Never Fear

I've been thinking a lot about fear recently. J has been helping me get to the bottom of my fears. I don't like to think of myself as a fearful person, but sometimes I am in denial of things, and that shows me that I don't want to face something - I'm afraid of it.

I've noticed that fear in my life is often based on lies. If I dissect my fear, really get to the heart of it, I usually find that it's all just smoke and mirrors - there's really nothing there to be afraid of.

So here is my formula for what to do when you’re afraid:

1) Get out a pencil and write out what you are afraid of - really break down your fear. Figure out the branches, stem, and root - make a diagram of it and figure out what the ROOT of the fear is.

2) Analyze the root of your fear. Is there any substance to it? Or is it based on a lie?

3a) If the root of your fear is based on a lie, find the truth statement that combats that lie: for instance, if you believe the lie that no one loves you, remember what God says in Jeremiah 31:3, "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." Even if it feels like no one loves you, God does. Search for the truth to expose the lies that you believe for what they really are!

3b) If the root of your fear is true, ask yourself what you can do to change it. Hope is never lost! If you really did do a horrible job on your last musical solo, ask someone how you could improve next time, or analyze a video recording of yourself to see how you can do better. If, on the other hand, the solo hasn't happened yet - your fear isn't based on a lie or a truth but on an unknown - ask yourself, "what's the worst that could happen?" If you do horribly on a solo, oh well, there's always next time. If you're afraid about your safety or a loved one, remember that you and they are in God's hands. Find a Bible truth to combat that lie as well.

4) Repeat and remember the truth statements you've memorized. Really analyze every part of them until you know-beyond-know that they are 100% true! Just repeating them isn't enough; you need to be fully convinced that the truth is the truth and that it is true in YOUR life!

PS: There is no fear in love. If you have been thinking about yourself too much, perhaps that is the root of your fear. Do something nice for someone else without expecting anything back or receiving any credit. Start thinking about those you love and how you can make them happy today.

You'll find that, in the face of Truth and Love, the fears and insecurities you were facing won't last long!


Check out J's blog, too - he recently posted about this topic: http://insplore.blogspot.com/

Let me know what you think or if you have any advice for me, too!

- Kay