Overcoming Fear
Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
When I was a child, I was known for being very shy and quiet; no one really heard me speak. I have a very soft tone in my voice, and it was even softer as a child, so I would easily get teased because I couldn't be heard. Naturally, this became an insecurity, and staying quiet became more of a choice due to fear. As I matured, I found confidence through numerous individuals who encouraged me and saw potential in me that I was unable to see in myself. They challenged me, built me up, and gave me the freedom to be my authentic self, allowing me to make mistakes without any judgment.
Throughout my life, I could recognize fear stemming from a loss of control, uncertainty, insecurity, perfectionism, or negative experiences such as failure, rejection, embarrassment, judgment, or abandonment. It was much easier to remain in fear and stay in my comfort zone than to challenge myself and risk being uncomfortable. But if I had not taken a step into the unknown, how would I have been able to reach my potential, the fullness of God's design in me?
In a healthy sense, fear is a natural survival response to help protect us from potential danger; however, our nervous system automatically reacts to any kind of risk, even when it is a good risk that allows us to learn and grow. Fear that becomes irrational often arises from a scarcity mindset, the feeling of not being enough. Courage comes from an abundance mindset, the belief that “I am enough.”
In Brené Brown's documentary film titled “Call to Courage,” she found in her research that “Vulnerability is the center of shame, scarcity, fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, but it is also the birthplace of love, belonging, and joy.” When we willingly embrace fear instead of running away from it, we will discover the fullness of who we are and can become in God.
The beauty of our faith is that we have God, and He gives us grace. All that is required of us is a willingness to face challenges with trust and surrender to God and partner with Him to overcome those challenges. God is generous in the help He provides. He gave us the Holy Spirit, Our Blessed Mother, and all the holy angels and saints whom we can ask for help. On top of that, He provided many tools in our church to continually pour grace into us.
Fear is a natural part of growth; it doesn't have to overpower us. If a bird never takes the risk of falling, how will it ever learn to fly? A priest said it best in his homily: “Fear can mean Forget Everything and Run or Face Everything and Rise.”
a simple strategy for overcoming fear
Grow in self-awareness: It is normal to experience fear, but we don’t have to let it overtake us. It is important to learn and understand ourselves so we can find ways to break down barriers to growth.
Build your way up: Build up trust, taking one small step at a time. Courage is a muscle that needs to be strengthened. A snail's pace still gets you to the end of the marathon.
Take risks that allow for learning opportunities: If the decision keeps you aligned and connected to God, then it is a good risk. This helps you to build character, virtue, strength, and better discernment.
Proclaim God’s truth: Identify any lies that you may be telling yourself and ask yourself what truth is God replacing for these lies?
Surround yourself with those who affirm and encourage you: Invest your time with people who help you toward holiness and your greatest potential.
“Those whose hearts are enlarged by confidence in God run swiftly on the path of perfection. They not only run, they fly; because, having placed all their hope in the Lord, they are no longer weak as they once were. They become strong with the strength of God, which is given to all who put their trust in Him.”
Saint Alphonsus Liguori, pray for us
