The Cure for Fear
Well hey,
I thought I would have more time to blog this semester, but I was wrong.
The majority of my time is spent going to classes, stressing out over homework deadlines, and then meeting those deadlines with minutes to spare. This process leaves me with a small amount of time to write. But today I decided to not do homework, (probably a bad decision, but I needed a break) and blog instead.
I wanted to write about my current favorite topic.
FEAR
Fear is like the Chicken Pox, it makes you feel terrible and forces you to stay home and not interact with other people. Fear is an awful thing to be infected with.
I'd like to say that I'm fearless, but that's just not the case. You know why I'm not fearless? Because I choose to be afraid. It's that simple. Fear is my choice.
When presented with a tricky situation where I can be brave or afraid, I pick afraid. I've concluded that I must like being afraid. Being afraid makes me feel helpless and not responsible for my actions. Fear is a great scapegoat.
FEAR IS NOT A LAUGHING MATTER
I recently had a conversation with a friend about fear, and I came to this conclusion: I cannot laugh about my fear. Meaning that I cannot treat my fear as some insignificant and harmless nuisance.
Don't we all feel like that sometimes? Like fear isn't a big deal? Like fear is rational and can be justified? Like fear is healthy because it protects us from uncomfortable situations? Like fear helps us to avoid danger?
FEAR IS DEBILITATING
Fear limits potential. Fear tells you not to try. Fear and its buddy anxiety are troopers when it comes to making you feel like a loser. When the two tag team they knock the wind out of you. And then somehow they convince you that it's good to live like a contagious, pathetic human being that fosters negativity. Or better yet, fear and anxiety can make you live a counterfeit life.
You smile although you're depressed. You exercise, you listen to happy music, and you say the right things. But you're afraid and dying on the inside. Your world is void of light. You're suffocating, and you've gotten used to the tightness in your throat.
We're pretty clever when it comes to justifying fear, aren't we? We're also pretty clever when it comes to justifying sin. We claim that fear is good because it gives us the adrenaline we need to overcome difficult and stressful tasks.
FEAR IS OUR OWN FAULT
And if that's not scary enough - here's the really scary part. Are you ready? You're the one doing this to yourself. You're literally drinking poison and then wondering why you feel like you're going to die. You wear fear like a handbag. It looks okay on the outside, but on the inside, it's full of granola bar crumbs, gum wrappers, and garbage. Fear is good at disguising itself and working itself into small places where you won't notice it.
FEAR IS A LIAR
Sociologists blame fear on your environment and on the social structure of our culture. Psychologists tell you to try harder to not be afraid and give you some breathing techniques to try. Doctors prescribe drugs. God provides a cure.
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3
Fear is most prevalent when we put our trust in us - when we try to rely on our own strength.
We are we glorifying fear? Why are we justifying a miserable choice?
God never intended for us to be afraid. He commands us to be strong and courageous. He tells us not to worry. He tells us to cast our anxieties on him. God sent his son to die so that fear would be swallowed up.
HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT
When we choose to fear it's like telling God that his work on the cross was not sufficient. Like his grace is not good enough for us. When we choose to be stressed out and full of worry, it's like letting God know we don't need him - and sometimes it's like telling God we don't want him. It's like laughing at the power of redemption.
What are the steps you need to take today to eradicate fear from your life? Maybe it's as simple as choosing to trust God instead of yourself.
Much love,
Carley
P.s. This post is more so for me than for you. These are simply the words that I needed to hear. That said, I believe that I am never alone in my struggles, so maybe these words aren't just meant for me after all. Maybe you need them too. I don't know. I mean, I'm just a girl with a laptop. Then again, David was just a boy with a slingshot. Maybe we are all more influential and impactful than we know. Be brave, friend.