Confronting Fear

Fear is a bully. It intimidates us and takes the joy out of living. Fear grows until we do something about it. If we don’t do something about it, it consumes our life.

Fear is contagious. The more we hang out with fearful people, the more we pick up on their fear.

Let’s be honest. We all have fears. Little children fear ants; big kids fear rejection and not fitting in. Some of us fear confrontation, being left out, finances, or some hidden monster on the inside. The real question is: “How do I confront my fear?” 

1. Confront your fear immediately. Do not allow it to grow. I find that much of my procrastination stems from fear. Why did I get that letter? What was that phone call about? Most letters and phone calls are not worth the fear. Do it now. Put it behind you. Fight against your fear immediately. “Do it now” is a great attack against procrastination.

2. Talk through your fear. See it for what it really is. “Self-talk” is a wonderful technique to help you with fear. A child uses self-talk when he says, “I know I can learn to ride this bike.” An adult uses self-talk when she says, “if my friend can get through this, I can too.” Paul used self-talk and God-talk when he said from prison, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

3.  Let Scripture speak to your heart and mind. God’s Word is filled with helpful passages concerning fear. God knows that we struggle with fear on a daily basis. Some of us deal with it on an hourly basis because of some addiction or habit or because of the way we were raised or some childhood experience. 

Find Scripture that speaks to your particular situation. Let God’s Word guard your heart and inspire you to act courageously. Remember, if you do the courageous act, you are courageous. It doesn’t matter how afraid you are on the inside. You have courage when you overcome your fear and do what’s right.

Some of favorite passages concerning fear:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

Please help the children who depend on you. Help them to confront their fear. Don’t belittle their fear; teach them. People who don’t learn to confront their fear miss out on much of life.

Simon Peter told us to humble ourselves before God and to cast all our anxieties on Him, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:6-7).

Want to read more about fear and its consequences? http://waylonbailey.com/2011/07/fear-is-a-bully/

What techniques do you use to overcome your fear?  Leave a comment below.

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6 Responses

  1. I love the hymn, “Be Strong in the Lord” The words tell us to be strong in the Lord and be of good courage for He is our guide. It really helps to turn our fears over to God and let Him guide us through whatever it is that is making us fearful. He is ALWAYS there for us.

  2. Hymns are a great form of self-talk that help us confront fear. Anyone else have a favorite song that helps you deal with fear?

  3. Dr. Bailey, thank you for your words of encouragement. I too believe the effect of fear is diminished by acting on it quickly. The longer you put it off the greater it grows. Fear is a lot like cancer left unattended it will grow to the point of consumption. I am often reminded of the verse, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” Isaiah 26;3 also helps me in times of fear.
    Thanks again for the encouragement,
    Randy

  4. Thanks for the Isaiah passage. It is a great verse. We were looking for the reference recently. Now, we have it. “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3, NIV).

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