Do you find fear impacts your life more than it should? Is fear forcing you to become the kind of person you do not want to become? How you respond to fear can either make or break you.
Last week 8 terrorists brought down the United States of America. Wait! You thought the attack happened in Paris? Sure. But their efforts turned our “land of the free and home of the brave” into the “land of the fear and the home of the cowards.” Over half the governors went on record as refusing to allow Syrian refugees into their state. Lady Liberty wept at the ironic hypocrisy of her own words, “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
How did this happen? It happened because 8 terrorists in another country struck FEAR in the heart of America. Do you see the power of fear? These terrorists were not in this country. They didn’t shoot a gun at you or me. But fear forced a flurry of irrational responses to ripple through our country.
Unchecked fear is something to be feared.
This is true in any arena. Fear makes us do crazy things at home, at work, at church, and on Facebook. It is important to find a way to force fear to work for you instead of against you.
Here’s 3 simple ways to force fear to work for you.
First, remind yourself fear is normal.
Fear is the God-given emotion programmed into you to help you survive. Not all fear is a bad thing. When crossing the road and a UPS delivery truck bears down on you fear kicks in causing you to become an Olympic sprinter. Without fear you might already be dead. Genuine fear is a protector. Never be ashamed of that kind of fear.
Second, recognize fear provides the opportunity for courage.
Run from the man who declares he is never afraid. He is either a lunatic or a liar. In both cases avoid this person.
Here’s what I like about fear: it provides the opportunity to be courageous. Without fear, by definition, it is impossible to be courageous. Fear sets the table for courage to be born. When fear strikes you can stand tall and display courage.
Third, look fear in the face and see what looks back.
Most fears are based on wild imagination. We react to a fearful thought and our mind turns it into an army of trouble. But in reality, fear is like a neighborhood bully who will turn and run if you stand up to it.
When fear comes calling grab it by the throat and look it straight in the eye. Sometimes you will see a genuine reason to be afraid. When that happens find a way to deal with it. But most of the time when you dare to stare fear down it will turn and run like the coward it is.
Refuse to let fear call the shots in your life. Choose courage.
When was the last time you had the opportunity to display courage?
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God made us that way as humans. But many times in His Book, He says, do not fear, fear not, don’t be afraid. I’m pretty sure that means TRUST ME! I’ve got this! :)