Today, I welcome author Stacy Monson here on Just Commonly to chat about fear, something we've all experienced some point in our lives. An empowering post, I shall say. Be sure to check it out!
Fear is a Liar: How Choosing Faith Helps Me Conquer Fear
There’s a new song out called “Fear is a Liar” by Zach Williams. That’s something I’ve needed to repeat to myself throughout life. I’ve always been afraid. As a child and then a teen, I was afraid to speak up, to be noticed, to get in trouble. I was afraid I wasn’t good enough, smart or pretty or fast or strong enough.
There’s a new song out called “Fear is a Liar” by Zach Williams. That’s something I’ve needed to repeat to myself throughout life. I’ve always been afraid. As a child and then a teen, I was afraid to speak up, to be noticed, to get in trouble. I was afraid I wasn’t good enough, smart or pretty or fast or strong enough.
I was afraid I’d mess up somehow and God would be mad at me. Actually, I was afraid everyone would be mad at me. My, how self-absorbed I was! Apparently I thought I was the focus of life for everyone. I wish I could say I snapped out of it one day when I realized I’m NOT the focus of the world. Unfortunately, it’s been a loooong process. Life-long. And since I’m going to hit 60 later this year, that’s decades of learning to let go of obsessing about myself.
Because isn’t that what fear is? An inward-focus that says I’M not good enough, I’M not smart enough, I’M not (fill in the blank) .
When you think about what you fear, the word that comes up over and over is “I.” I can’t, I don’t know how, I’m not able… What would happen if you turned that focus away from yourself and onto God?“I don’t know how to do this, but God does.”
“I’m afraid to try, but God isn’t.”
“I can’t, but God can.”
HE is enough. And since the Bible tells us repeatedly that God is for us (to the point of dying on the cross for us), shouldn’t that be all we need?
When I allow fear/doubt/self-absorption to cloud my thinking, I’m basically telling God He isn’t enough. Whoa. When I put it that way, it’s embarrassing. Humbling. Laughable if it weren’t about me dismissing the God of the Universe.
This isn’t to say that there aren’t experiences that make us shake in our boots. A speaking opportunity. A new job. Getting married. Buying a house. We certainly should have a healthy regard for new adventures and prepare as best we can. But when we let fear stop us from even considering something new or different, then we’ve shifted the focus back to ourselves and what we think we’re capable of.
New job? Fear says we’re going to fail before we even start. Faith reminds us God is walking through those doors for the first time beside us.
Speaking opportunity? Fear says we’ll make a fool of ourselves in front of everyone. Faith asks God what we should say, and how we should say it, and invites Him to stand at the podium beside us.
New book contract? Fear says we’ve used up all our good story ideas. Faith rejoices at the opportunity and asks God to write with and through us.
Frightening diagnosis? Fear shows us the worst possible scenario. Faith reminds us God already knows what’s happening and invites us to rest in the arms of the Healer.
Bad news? Fear throws darkness over our life. Faith shifts our focus to the heavens where God Almighty is enthroned and asks Him for guidance, strength, courage.
Parenting issues? Fear tells us we’re a failure as a parent. Faith reminds us to trust our Father to guide us through the maze of raising children.
Fear keeps us off-balance, in questioning mode, unable to hear or accept encouragement from those around us. It blinds us to the beauty of our potential. It creates panic instead of calm, replaces excitement with uncertainty, and limits our physical and mental mobility.
Faith puts our attention where it belongs—on our Creator who wants only the best for us. It reminds us we were created in His image, and invites us to shake off fear and put on the assurance of His love.
Choose faith over fear. That’s where your potential awaits, your dreams can be realized, and where truth resides.
Thank you, Stacy!
About Stacy
Here’s a peek at her new book:
Title: Open Circle
Publisher: Stacy Monson
Release Date: June 21, 2018
Mindy Lee “Minnie” Carlson’s dream job has dropped into her hands, but there’s a catch. She has four months to revive Open Circle, the town’s only Senior Adult Day Center, or the doors will close, leaving her beloved seniors stranded, and eliminating the only job she’s ever wanted.
Globe-trotting photographer Jackson Young documents the forgotten people of the world, focusing on the poor and elderly. After decades on the road, he’s stunned to learn his beloved Grandma Em is still alive in the small town he’d had to leave decades earlier.
Overjoyed, Jackson races back into town to reconnect with her and discovers she’s been Minnie’s adopted grandma for the past twenty years. When Grandma Em has a stroke, his ideas about her care pit him against Minnie’s determination and expertise. For Grandma Em’s sake, and the future of Open Circle, they’ll need to do the impossible—find a way to work together.
TO PURCHASE A COPY*
GIVEAWAY
To celebrate the release of Stacy’s newest book, Open Circle, she’s giving away a custom canvas tote bag with an autographed copy of Open Circle along with other fun goodies!
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*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
I think I'm always afraid of messing up and not being able to forgive myself. Forgiving myself is the hardest. I'm afraid of letting others down.
ReplyDeleteBritney, I'm with you. There's something about trying to do everything and not let people we care about down. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteI'm always worried that I'm not doing the right things to "succeed" in life-- although that's not where my focus should be, I know!
ReplyDeleteO, I've been there...thanks for sharing!
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