F.E.A.R.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust. PSALM 4:8

I am free from worry, reasoning and Fear; I rest in the Lord.

Fear of rejection. Fear of the unknown. Fear of failure. More and more, I realize how Fearful I became over the last few years and how it did nothing but hold me back. As I re-evaluate my past, I believe over time I hot-wired myself to over-analyze and treat life encounters as science experiments. It was almost as if before wholeheartedly trusting, in anything, I was to first follow through with the scientific method:

Emmorton Barracudas, FIRST Swim Meet, circa 1993

1.) Question

2.) Hypothesize

3.) Experiment

4.) Observe & Record

5.) Analyze

6.) Results

And if the results seemed fit (and safe) for me, I would follow through. If not, forget about it. [Let me be clear that I place no blame on parenting; I genuinely believe this quality is a common phenomenon of the human genome]. But like most personality traits, there is always rooms for further growth and development. It's all about breaking and forming habits. Confidence and a strong sense of worthiness are absolutely essential in breaking those Fear-binding habits.

Let's take a look at what F.E.A.R. really stands for when placed in acronym form:

Fear is not a finish line, it is a starting point.

F = False

E = Evidence

A = Appearing

R = Real

Fear is really just one big mind trick. It's the devil creeping in. And all of those self-destructive qualities or habits that we form over time, they are all interchangeable. They are variables in which WE control. The mind is very powerful and wants [needs] to be tested. Say this out loud, "I am never stuck, for I can always choose new thoughts and new ways of thinking." Don't settle.

Growing up, my dad would use a summer pool outing to try and get me out of this cycle of Fear. Ya know, I was one of those kids who insisted on testing the temperature of the water before taking the plunge.  But, he would encourage me to just jump in ...and only then was I able to conquer my Fear. TRUST and jump. Take a leap of faith. Yeah, it may be a little cold and uncomfortable at first, but after a few minutes you'll be happy you took the risk. Don't sit on the sidelines of life intimidated, thinking you're incapable and unworthy. A simple concept, yet sometime difficult to overcome, especially in unrelenting situations. But hey, who knows? By "jumping in" you might just become the next Michael Phelps.

What it really comes down to is not letting your mind hold you prisoner. Turn Fear into action. The more confident you become in your daily choices, the more you will understand that life supports you, and you will step forward feeling safe and protected. Reprogram and free yourself of the shackles of Fear.

Be Brave. Act Boldly. TRUST.

 

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“So many people along the way, whatever it is you aspire to do, will tell you it can't be done. But all it takes is imagination. You dream. You plan. You reach. There will be obstacles. There will doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work, with belief, with confidence and trust in yourself and those around you, there are no limits." ~Michael Phelps

“I think that everything is possible as long as you put your mind to it and you put the work and time into it. I think your mind really controls everything.” ~Michael Phelps