The Fear Factor

“Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith empowers; fear disheartens, faith encourages; fear sickens, faith heals; fear makes useless, faith makes serviceable.”  -Harry Emerson Fosdick

Fear, though invisible, is something that can either propel us forward or keep us stuck.  It doesn’t take much to scare us; in fact it’s usually a tiny seed in our thoughts that creates an imagined problem or outcome that constructs an invisible prison. 

Fear:  An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat; Dread, dismay, trepidation, panic.

Consider this, every big and good thing comes on the other side of fear; promotion, changes, having your first child, getting married, a new job or friendship.

Fear has trapped me for a large amount of my life.  Fear was originally designed to keep us safe.  It was an internal alarm system that would go off when real life or death situations arose.   Growing up in my house was a daily struggle with fear.  This fear was needed to keep me aware and to try and protect myself (which did not always protect me).

Damaging Fear:

*Keeps you stuck and stagnant

*Causes phobias, anxiety, illness and depression

*Makes you doubtful and distrusting/lack of faith

*Prolongs healing and growth

*Not how God created us to live

*Sees the bad in situations, not the good

Constructive Fear:

*Protects us/alarms us

*Pushes us to new heights

*Propels us forward

*Shows growth

*Shows healing

Recently, when I have been in situations that cause me fear and anxiety I have been trying to put things into perspective.  I ask myself:

How will this work out for Gods glory and my good?

Just that question puts me in a completely different head space.  When we put God at the forefront it allows us to see that this will all work out and it will not be for our harm.

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11

Living takes risk; there is no way around that.  How you choose to live is a direct choice.

“As you grow, you reach a point where you either move forward or you remain stagnant and miss your life.  You either cower in fear to protect yourself, or you take a leap of faith propelled by courage, and you begin to risk.” - Stephen Arterburn

We stay away from risk because we fear it will cause us pain.  When you have been hurt deeply the last thing you want to do is take that risk again.  So you will build walls of fear as a protection that inevitably become a life sentence in the prison of your mind; “Those walls have not protected you; they have infected you.”-Stephen Arterburn

What do you fear in your life at this moment?  Do you have faith that God will be able to use it to glorify Him and for your ultimate good?
 

I pray that fear will no longer hinder you and the plans for your life, In Jesus name, Amen.

About the Author :

Leilani is a single mom to a beautiful 4 year old little girl. She is in love with the Creator of the stars. Her mission is simple yet so big, to encourage and bring Jesus to all in need. To bring hope by loving people, writing, photography, music, poetry/spoken word and meeting people right where they are. God's Grace is her air.