Just Do it: Stop Living a Life of Fear

Fear. For such a such a small word, it can hold many people captive in their lives.  Take me for example.  I tend to come off as a very confident, strong woman, however I am far from it.  I, am one of those people who allow FEAR to take my life captive. 

For me, fear is like sitting on the porch or stoop of your house, watching life happen right in front of your eyes.  Life seems great, so many great opportunities, great friendships, and relationships, however the world seems so new to you.  The porch or stoop is familiar, your safety net.  The very thing that you know is familiar.  So you don't come off of the steps, you stay put where you are comfortable. 

During this summer, I am vowing to be  done living a life of fear.  It is not due to the fact that I have FOMO (fear of missing out), but it is due to the fact that I am tired of missing out on God given opportunities.  God has been presenting  me with so many things ,that because it does not seem familiar or within my safety net, I refuse to follow them. 

My major fear that I have is fear of failure.  During the past couple of months, I have been writing in my journal.  I have been filling up pages up pages with prayers, short stories, and story ideas.  I continually pray, and ask God to  give me a story idea or something to write about.  Many times He has presented me with some ideas.  However, because of my fear, I don't follow through. 

Dealing with fear is hard.  We love the familiar, the safe areas, and the control. When dealing with your fears, you have to give up on some control, in order to live without worry or anxiety.  There are things that we try to control, however we don't even have the ability or enough power to do it.  It is a losing battle that we try to win day in and day out. 

I am a Christian and I lean on my faith to help me with the fears that I have.  I know that there is an enemy who loves to tell lies that make you believe in your fears.  "You are not smart enough" "you don't have enough money"  "that is a dumb idea"  "no one will like it"  "someone else thought of that"  "no one will buy it"  You know those lies.  I am a word person.  I use words to attack those very lies that the enemy tells me.  I remind myself, "I am loved" " I am smart"  "I have dreams"  "Let God's will be done" "I am unique"  " I have a gift" 

Faith and trust are tools that help fight against fears.  I know that if I put my faith and trust in God and not man, my fears don't have a chance with him.  If I allow myself to know that I am not in this life alone. There are others that God has put in my life to help me, my fears don't have a chance.

So if you are like me, STOP allowing fear dictate your life.  If you want to go back to college, do it.  If you want to have children, do it.  If you want to write a book, do it.  If you want a new job, do it.  Maybe it will work out, maybe not.  Everyday and situation is a lesson, that you will learn from.  Don't allow lies that are not true stop you from living a life that God has designed for you.  I believe that the enemy will try and stop you from living your God designed life, because he knows that he will not profit from it. 

Again, let us not allow lies, fear, and worries dictate our life.  Lets us draw to our faith, trust, in God that He will provide with the strength and wisdom to live out the very thing that God has instilled in us.

For those who will read this and not share the same faith as me.  I am not saying that I am right or wrong.  I am sharing that this is what helps me on a everyday basis dealing with my fear.  I try to live out my life not be my own strength, but through the strength of Christ.