Fear

I think I was seven the first time I stepped onto an escalator filled with fear and trepidation. I wanted to use the stairs, but the escalator was the only option. It was moving. When did I step out? What if I tripped? Fast forward as an adult downhill skiing. Skiing wasn’t the issue; it was getting on and off the chairlift that terrified me, it was also moving.

What if I fell getting on or off? How do I pull the bar down while holding my ski poles?

I have been gripped with fear more times than I can count. Sometimes the fear has been for legitimate reasons, while other times it was unfounded based on my anxious thoughts; either way, the fear has felt very real.

What Is Fear?
Fear is a basic human emotion just like anger, joy or sadness. It is built into our nervous system to let us know instinctively when we sense danger or feel unsafe. Feeling afraid is natural and helpful in many ituations. It is like a warning signal cautioning us to be careful. Not only do we experience fear emotionally but there can also be a physical reaction such as rapid breathing, faster heartbeat and an increase in blood pressure. This “flight or fight” response is our body preparing to deal with whatever danger we might be encountering. Just like other emotions, fear can range from mild to intense. It can be brief, or it can last longer depending on the person and the situation.

If fear is a natural emotion with a purpose, why then does God tell us not to be afraid? In fact, “do not be afraid” or “fear not” is one of the most repeated commands in the Bible. There are over 365 verses in the Bible instructing us not to be anxious or fearful. It has been said, there is one verse for every day of the year. Repeatedly God tells us to trust Him and that He is with us especially in the scary situations. God understands that in life we will experience fear for different reasons. As I described above, God gave us fear to protect us, but not to control or rule over us. So, how does this relate to our recovery?

It is one thing to be afraid when facing real danger or when we are at risk of harm, but it is another thing altogether to live in fear. I used to live in fear. It was the kind of fear that held me back. Overcoming this unhealthy kind of fear has been a huge part of my recovery. I was afraid of what others thought, expected and said about me; or should I say, what I thought they thought, expected and said about me. I was afraid of rejection, of failure, of being transparent, of not being good enough and of stepping out of my comfort zone. Learning to not live in this kind of fear has been an ongoing process. FEAR “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3

I have learned to focus on what God thinks, expects and says about me. I have learned that my identity is found in Him, not in my failures or my performance. There are countless things in the world today that can cause us to be anxious and
afraid. I have learned that when I am in real scary situations, I can choose to trust God for the courage I need to do the next right thing even if I am still afraid.

God does not want us to live in fear. When we are afraid, God is with us; we can choose to trust Him and to find our confidence in Him. When we give into faith instead of giving into fear, our courage and our trust in God grows. I used to be stuck in fear; it was like a prison built on lies. Lies about myself, the future, my situation or my performance held me back. I have grown the most when I have trusted God and taken the next right step even while afraid. When I choose to trust God in the face of fear, I find courage to keep moving forward.
Courage is not the absence of fear, it is what helps us get through it. Just as I needed courage that first time I stepped out onto the escalator; I still need courage each time I step out in scary situations.

About the Author

Glenda DeVries is on staff with Compass Point as our Pastor of Care and Recovery

She has journeyed through her own struggles with depression and works with others through our Celebrate Recovery Program, which offers weekly support, accountability and teaching so we can be strengthened as we intentionally apply what we learn no matter what we are facing.

Follow Our Celebrate Recovery Page

Related Posts

Related