Face Your Fears, 13 Proven Ways To Overcome Fear
Do you struggle to face your fears? Is it possible to break the hold fear has on you? Have you heard the phrase…If you don’t face your fears, they will control you. Even now, as a Christian, do you still struggle with fear at times? Here are 13 proven ways to overcome fear head on.
I’ve found this to be true in my own life because fear has completely controlled me more often than I care to admit. With this in mind, fear is an ever-present reminder of past abuse that I would much rather forget altogether.
Fear is an inevitable part of life. That being said, God has made it very clear to me that the only way to get past this is…You must face your fears head-on.
In all honesty, those of us who suffer from a lifetime of fear (abuse in my case) often face many obstacles in fulfilling God’s will and purpose for our lives. It can be difficult to move forward when thoughts of doing so paralyze you.
That being the case, when you choose to live your life for Jesus Christ, Satan will always use the largest ammunition at his disposal for every believer who chooses to face their fears head-on when stepping out in faith and trusting God’s plan and purpose.
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How Do You Face Your Fears Head On?
This particular post was supposed to be my first contributor post for Kingdom Bloggers. That being said, it didn’t happen because I know in my heart God didn’t intend it to be that way. When I sent this post for submission, in the back of my mind, I knew I wasn’t obeying God.
I convinced myself that “more people” would benefit from it because Kingdom Bloggers has a much larger reach than I do. So I sent it anyway.
To make a long story short, it’s published where it’s meant to be. God’s plans for us will happen in the way they’re meant to, no matter how much “we” get in the way!
Give Your Fears to God
Rush forward toward fear with faith in Jesus Christ and have your confidence firmly rooted in Him, His Word, and the truth of the gospel, not Satan’s schemes and lies!
Sweet Friends, you and I can not face our fears in our strength. We must call upon the power of the living God, which is the Holy Spirit within us, to overcome fear!
Now I realize that facing our fears is never easy! Even while I am writing this post, I am fighting a battle in my heart and soul.
I also know without a shadow of a doubt that this is God’s will, so I must obey him no matter how hard it is, even if I may be considered less than and judged by those who will never understand unless they have walked in my shoes and down the same path.
Face your Fears
Back in February, I wrote a post titled “God is Worthy of Our Whole Heart of Worship.” I want to share a few key points from that post, but I would love for you to read the full story by clicking the link.
Needless to say, our worship pastor and the pastor giving the sermon this Sunday stepped on my toes in two particular ways.
Remove Fear of Man
Our Worship Pastor told the Story of Matt Redman’s song “Heart of Worship.” While I listened to him share this story, I felt heavy conviction from the Holy Spirit about songs I had written.
I also made videos for each song, using just me and my computer, no music, just like Matt Redman’s Story, but I hadn’t shared them on my RHL Page.
The pastor asked the congregation,”When you come through the doors on Sunday, what are you bringing as your offering to God?”
“Are you giving God your whole heart of Worship?” Out of the depths of my FEAR…
No, I was not!
There is a phrase I say often…I LOVE God’s Sense of humor and timing.
I previously uploaded all the songs to my page before the weekend of this sermon and was considering removing them due to fear and caring about what others may think of them.
It can be hard to tell how I sound due to my hearing loss, but others were sharing how much they helped them spiritually. Satan isn’t a happy camper in the least when you’re changing lives for the sake of the gospel and facing your fears head-on.
Ignore Satan
- You’re gonna look stupid!
- People are gonna make fun of you!
- You need to remove the videos!
In short, I didn’t let my fear have the final say on this one. However, I can not say the same for my biggest fear.
Heed the Conviction of the holy spirit
God was not finished convicting me on this particular Sunday. When Pastor Jon started his sermon, I thought to myself, “Really, Lord!” Now?
Don’t you think my toes were stepped on badly enough, God? Can’t you cut me some slack? When God wants to move in your life…He doesn’t let up.
Psalm 32:1-5 is about King David, what transpired with Bathsheba, and how David was bearing the weight of his shame, guilt, and regret and the consequences of his actions. Below is the title of the sermon.
- Our freedom
- God’s Forgiveness
- Conquering our Fears
Savor the Sweetness of Forgiveness As You Face Your Fears
The sermon had three key points: Psalm 32:1-5
- Be captivated by the blessings of repentance and confession.
- Don’t suffer in silence.
- Acknowledge and confess your sins for forgiveness.
My pastor used the metaphor of not changing the oil in your car. If you do not change the oil in your car, it will eventually get filled with muck and gunk and make your engine go bad. All of us must take our trash out.
He went on to say that he believes that there is NO SIN heavier than guilt and shame. Is that ever a true statement, right?
If you have not read my testimony, I was in an almost fifteen-year abusive marriage, which is where the biggest majority of my fear comes from.
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Let Go of Shame and Face Your Fears
After this particular sermon, I fought tooth and nail on what I knew God was calling me to, due to fear, shame, and guilt. The thing is, I’m very upfront about the physical, emotional, and verbal abuse that has taken place in my life.
However, there is ONE area that I have not been able to openly share. This ONE thing has kept me a prisoner, forever bound and shackled. See, I can understand how King David felt.
Why?
The ONE thing I have not been so upfront about is Sexual Abuse. See, for ME, I classify it in this way because this was something I did NOT want to take place at ALL! That being said, if you were to hear my ex-husband’s side of this time, he would say I wanted this or I asked for it!
Sweet Friend, this statement is a lie from Satan straight from the pit of Hell! God knows ALL, and God sees ALL, and he alone knows my heart, and nothing anyone else may say or think will change this fact.
Make Better Choices
Also, when you are in an abusive situation, you make choices that you would normally NEVER make out of FEAR. If I didn’t want to go along with his “sexual fantasies,” for lack of a better word, I took the full brunt of his wrath for not doing so.
Choose faith over fear
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I was so broken, lost, defeated, attempted suicide, and was so far from Christ at this time in my life. I blamed God for numerous situations that took place. I needed the courage to choose faith over fear.
It is sometimes hard for me to grasp the concept that God didn’t say ENOUGH…I am so done with you. But God is a faithful, loving God and does not operate that way.
Confess It to Break It
In short, God convicted me during the Pastor’s sermon that for me to be completely FREE from this, I had to confess it to break its hold on me.
So I wrote an E-Book titled FINALLY FREE about the time in my first marriage that goes more in-depth on the abuse and how God used that timeframe to mold me into the woman I am today.
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7
I made the ebook an opt-in on my website so others could benefit from “My Story,” and I even convinced myself that I obeyed the conviction within my own heart by sharing it in this form.
However, I still couldn’t shake the fact that I was not obeying God. Friends, doing something partway instead of the way God intends for us is NOT trusting in God through faith when it comes to facing our fears head-on. He wants our full, complete obedience.
Listen to Wise Counsel
Isn’t it just like God lovingly using the people in our lives to speak truth to us and give us the nudge we need to do what we already know God is calling us to do anyway?
For this reason, I want to share a bit of a conversation I had with you. I was asking a question in a group I’m in about wanting to know how I can display my e-book better to get more subscribers to my blog.
My friend’s truthful reply…I know you currently have it set up as a way to gain subscribers (opt-in), but you might want to consider not requiring them to sign up for it.
If the main goal is to provide helpful information, sometimes it is better to give it away for free, so to speak—meaning doesn’t require them to subscribe—because this way, more people will be able to benefit from the information.
Refuse to Second Guess or Doubt
My response…LeeAnn, have you personally read my eBook? Do you know what it’s about and what’s in it? It’s humiliating and extremely difficult to write about.
I’m especially afraid of being judged and ridiculed. Not to mention, if my ex-husband finds out I wrote about this, all kinds of worms will be opened. He will say it’s all lies. I don’t know the best way to go about this.
Don’t Give a Hypocritical Response
My response was filled with self-doubt and, honestly, was completely hypocritical on my part. It’s like saying you live a Christian lifestyle, but the way you live your life does not reflect what you claim to be.
Not to mention my lack of disobedience in the way God intends for me to do. You know the old saying that you can’t have one foot in the world and the other in the church? You can’t have it both ways.
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. Matthew 6:24
Our Testimonies Our Someone Else’s Hope
This is the final comment from my friend and mentor…I would say that if you aren’t yet comfortable sharing that part of your life with the world, then don’t.
If you share it, it will be mentioned in the posts you openly write about on your site.
The people finding these posts are struggling with similar situations. You must face your fears and help others.
The chances of your ex finding it (while it is possible) are extremely low. But this is something that you need to pray about, and let God guide you on whether or not to put it out there.
At the end of the day, you have to be comfortable with this being out there, but always remember that our testimonies are someone else’s hope. It’s time to face your fears.
How Do You overcome fear? You Face it Head On!
Finally, FREE To Face My Fears
Thank You, LeeAnn, for giving me the nudge I desperately needed. More than that, I appreciate your humble heart and guidance in speaking the truth to my stubborn heart.
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13
God gives us his strength and power through the Holy Spirit, the unconditional love from His only perfect Begotten Son, and clarity from the Holy Word of God through Scriptures to overcome every fear that we face as children of Almighty God!
Finally, as a Blogger and, most importantly, a Christian, I have the opportunity to share my story with those who need to hear it most and change lives.
The way I see it, letting others know there is help for abused women and how they, too, can find healing is priceless. Don’t allow anxiety or fear of sharing your story to stop you from helping others.
Many people are asking Google about how to face their fears in the search box. Abuse in various forms is also an issue, so I know this will benefit those searching for answers.
Healing and restoration come from stepping out of your safe zone and being bold in helping others who are facing similar issues. Be the one who chooses to face your fears head-on, and just maybe, YOU can be the one writing a story that can help someone get past their fears, too. Listen to “No Longer a Slave to Fear” by Zach Williams.
Your Turn
Which of the 13 ways to face your fears resonates most with you? So what happens now? What should you do? Stomp Satan and his fear tactics beneath our feet and step out in faith, trusting God through obedience. The spirit of fear does NOT come from God.
