Fear can Hold You a Prisioner in Your Own Mind

Glass half full or empty? Eyore or Winnie the Pooh? Cinderella or Cruella? Fear of Faith? Where do your thoughts wonder off to when left unguarded? At my core, I am a super positive vibe' person, rose colored glasses generally speaking, always finding the good in every situation...and yet, fear ruled me for most of my life. Fear sifted and sorted my thoughts until I learned how to give faith that authority! 

I don't think we wake up with fear. I believe we wake up to His new mercies every morning and the enemy is ready to pull us away from receiving them the moment we wake up! Ever wonder why some mornings you wake up and you're grateful to be alive and awake, ready for the coffee and time in the Word, exciting things planned for the day and then BOOM...fears of all the what ifs start rolling in.

This is also a Could Be Books long, so let's touch on it to start the conversation..

Volunteering (especially in the church) seemed like a very vulnerable thing to do, opening yourself up to being seen as less than, giving opportunity to fail, affecting others and potentially disappointing God Himself. Isn't it such a scheme...oddly enough, it worked on Eve. 

Hiding emotionally was one way of coping. Building up that preverbal wall of protection, again, controlling what I could of what came in and what went out.

People pleasing was another coping mechanism to avoid arguments and conflict. I am a Lead with the Heart, Big Dreamer, Romantic personality, yet inside fear was the guiding voice of all my “shouldas” and “havetas.” 

It's hard to recognize this in people when they become so good at wearing a mask to hide behind. We will talk about recognizing these signs in yourself or others in the next blog.

If YOU aren't the person suffering with fear. I pray this series helps you understand your friend or loved one better, so you can lead and love them deeply where they are. Don't dismiss them, cover them in Grace and Affirmations. Speak Life over them.

Keeping peace and self protecting worked itself out as passive. Often, a doormat. It felt easier than qualifying or explains myself. I didn't feel my value was higher than others so quietness looked like meekness when in reality, there were times I was screaming on the inside, smiling on the outside. 

I easily followed and never wanted to led. Interesting though, I felt very confident within my home as a Wife, a Mom and. a friend. I was fiercely loyal, forgiving, protective, engaged and grateful. But the moment I stepped outside my front door, fear appointed itself as protector and created what felt like a sort of safe zone for me. 

Perfectionism and people pleasing shaped me and guarded me even though my heart had hidden joy for life inside. The mask of Joy I wore daily seemed real. I had become really good at hiding insecurity and fear. Fear shackled my joy. Any decision that could involve conflict or failure were avoided to certain degrees in every area of my life. I served in ministry and leadership but it was all done in shackled joy. Fear if I didn't...doing what was expected, living a Check List Christian Life ultimately to honor the Lord because He was EVERYTHING to me, at the same time, living in false peace and fake joy.

My worship was desperation for peace. My prayers were pleadings of protection.

But God...once again, we know He is long suffering but He does not abandon His children. He gave us His one and only Son that we may be free, not just for eternal salvation, but earthy freedom here and now too! 

I learned the practice of bouncing my thoughts from fear to faith, worship to worry. When a negative thought came to mind, I immediately spoke Life and His Word over it. This is the Overcoming. When we choose life over death, peace over perfection and passivity. 

Mindset, Affirmations, Meditations, Positive Thinking, Conscious Language...these are all common terms flooding social media. God's Word tell us to meditate day and night. God's Word tells us to hide His Word in our hearts. God's Word tells us to remember His promises. These things are How Tos in the battle to overcome of negative thoughts.

If you struggle with fear in your heart and mind, release these fears in worship and prayer to God. Quickly! Consistently! Write down Scriptures in your phone, on notecards for your wallet, sticky notes on your mirrors...pay attention to the media and music you allow to fill your ears and flash before your eyes. 

Guard your heart. 

Seek first the Kingdom of God. 

Be still and KNOW that you KNOW He loves you, is with you and will never forsake you, always with a plan. Ask, Seek and Knock...do not fear! 

Stand firm in the truth of Life and Love! 

Remember God is greater and with you!

Friend, whatever you are facing in this season, You are not alone! Take courage and worship over your worry. Watch joy grow! Find a friend who will pray over you and on your behalf during this season. God always gives us His hearts on this earth to hug ours. Ask Him to show you who they are in your life.

If you continue to battle your thoughts and feel the Spirit telling you to talk to a Pastor or Counselor, humble yourself and heed the warning. Do not allow the enemy to make you feel shame or embarrassment. Healing is on the other side of that pride. Get the wise counsel you need and watch the freedom return to your heart and mind! 

Take Comfort in these Words in Romans 8: