What do you fear? Fear is a powerful emotion. Growing up as a young boy I was afraid of three things. I was afraid of the dark, drowning, and spiders. One I have overcome, two are still on my to overcome list.
I was afraid of the dark growing up. My parents had to leave a light on in my room for me to feel safe to sleep. As I grew older, I wouldn’t even be in the woods alone after dark. Once I figured out what the source of that fear was, it went away overnight. Now I find being alone in the woods at night peaceful instead of fearful. Relief!
Totally overcoming my fear of drowning and spiders is still a part of my journey. I cannot tell you how many times I was told in swimming lessons to just relax and trust the water to hold you up. As soon as the instructor removed their hands from under me, I would panic, flail around, and go under. My mind would instantly flash back to the moment when I fell through the ice and nearly drowned.
Overcoming whatever we fear is a journey. Fear produces panic which makes us behave in inappropriate ways.
There is a verse in Scripture I meditate on frequently. It gives great insight into fear. Spend a moment and meditate on God’s teaching about fear.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 NIV
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