“The presence of fear does not mean you have no faith. Fear visits everyone. But make your fear a visitor and not a resident. “
– Max Lucado
I know for sure that many of us have built up invisible walls and/or fortresses around us. Some of us consciously, while the majority of us have done it subconsciously. Over the past few years I have spent time knocking down what I thought were those walls only to realize that they were building themselves back up again without my help. I decided a few days ago that it was time to share these “fears” with other people and cover the areas of the broken walls with cement, asphalt and build a road over it. Subconsciously speaking of course.
Fears That I Refuse to Live With
Fear #1 Fear of being alone/unwanted
I can not count how many times I’ve been afraid that those who “love me” would leave. To stop this from happening I would literally do anything, despite my moral compass, to make someone stay. Whether that be buying relationships (where you spend all your hard earned money on people so that they will stay) of giving up yourself physically.
The Truth: That I am deeply loved by the Father and I am never alone. He has been there all along and He will always be there, through it all.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:5
Fear #2 Fear of being unknown
Most of us are familiar with the concept of “white lies.” The ones where we say something to make ourselves sound better. Yea I did that. Constantly puffing up ourselves so that that people would want to be around me or give me the positions that I desired. All because I was afraid of being unknown by people.
The Truth: The Lord knows absolutely everything about me. He knew me before I was born and He knows about my end. He knew all of the things that I have struggled with. He cared enough to know the number of hairs on my head.
“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me…Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?…For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:1,7,13
Fear #3 Fear of being rejected
REJECTION! It starts early on and though we don’t realize it may have affected us for many many years. The way in which I manifest rejection is through my inability to show others who I really am. The lie I’ve believed, “If I really allow people to see me for who I am then they won’t like me. So it’s better to take on another identity to be who others will accept.”
The truth: The Lord accepts me! Point black period. I don’t have to be anyone else, but who I am (in actuality that relates to me being known by Him).
“For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.” Psalm 27:10
Fear #4 Fear of saying the wrong things & Fear #5 Fear of being heard
These two fears can be put together, because they are relatable. In my past, I have been afraid to speak words, especially through the sharing of my testimony/story. I believed that no one wants to hear my story or someone else will eventually come along and share something similar. When we believe that we are going to say the wrong things, then believing that no one wants to listen to or hear our opinions anyways, becomes an easier fear to fall into.
The Truth: The best thing that the Lord has shared with me is that “your story is an extension of My Story.” That He has given me words, because ultimately He is speaking through me. The same things the Lord is saying to me, is true for you as well.
“Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.” Isaiah 42:1
How To Shake Your Fears
Each of us are different and we deal with things in unique ways that are geared towards our personalities. What I do maybe entirely different than what you do. That is completely alright. Here are the ways I am learning to battle with my fear
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Own it: realize that you have been living with a fear in your life and listening to lies.
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Declare it: refuse to live with this fear in whatever way you desire to! Confess that you have been living with this fear, but that you refuse to live with it any longer.
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Listen to Truth: allow the Lord to speak truth into the lie you’ve believed or the fear that you were living with.
- Talk it out: share it with someone and allowing your closest friends to hold you accountable and to call you out when your believing the lies again.
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Walk in your freedom: Run, dance, skip or whatever other action verb you can think of. You are no longer a slave to this specific fear.
I challenge you to rid yourself of your fears and walk in the freedom that is YOURS!
