What Can I Do About My Fear?

“FEAR NOT, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” Isaiah 43:1

I don’t know why but my mother feared cats, and to this day, I fear cats also.  It isn’t rational!  There’s no traumatic experience I can point to. My sisters and I were just raised with a fear of cats.

For all you cat lovers out there (and I know several) please have pity on those of us who shrink from them!

FEAR IS NORMAL!  IT IS BUILT INTO US

In His wisdom, God designed our brains to fear what is harmful: crossing the road without looking, touching a burning hot pan, getting in a car accident on a busy freeway—there are any number of reasons we react with fear.  Here are a few more you might recognize:

• How can my income stretch to cover my bills?
• Is my marriage going to survive—or will I find myself a single mom?
• What will the doctor say at my next appointment?
• What kind of choices will my kids make—and how do I cope with choices already made?
• Can I survive the next round of job cuts?
• How can I help my parents. How do we heal the fractures in our family?
• Who will take care of me when I am older?

As you can see, life comes with fears at all ages and stages. 

FEAR CAN PARALYZE OR PROTECT YOU

Being gripped by negative and destructive emotions is not where God wants you or me to stay.  These immediate reactions of fear don’t have to dominate or paralyze you.  After they have alerted you to some immediate or pending danger, God wants you to experience His power and blessing by overcoming your fear. 

Here are three instructions, among many, that Scripture gives for overcoming fear:

Jesus said, “Come to Me… and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

The apostle Paul said, “Be anxious for nothing but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts an minds through Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

King Solomon said: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

If you’d like more help in this area of your life, or you know someone who needs loving support and assurance of God’s care for them, you can order my new E-BOOK HOW TO CONQUER YOUR WORRIES AND FEARS HERE.  

Apart from my fear of cats, I’ve had other fears and anxieties in my life, as you have.  Two truths stand out and help me when I find myself getting frightened.

1. Fear is anticipating the worst, not the best that can happen. It is leaving God out of the situation I’m imagining.
2. Fear is the wrong use of my imagination. 

 
I have so much more helpful teaching and coaching on this topic that will walk you through how to overcome Worry, Fear, and Anxiety. You can access it through an easily downloadable E-book available at my website:  https//www.poppysmith.com/store  Cost: $4.99

Poppy