The Side Effects of Fear

The Side Effects of Fear

So, in my first post, Fear Doesn’t Have to Win, I said that I wasn’t living with the side effects of fear anymore. Typically when I write posts, I just write and write and write and get everything out and then I go back and take things out and re-write things. That phrase was one that I debated on if I should keep or take away. Clearly I kept it, but I do think it needs some explaining.

To clarify, so there is no confusion, the fear I’m talking about, is the fear to do the things that God has called you to do. Truthfully, side effects may not have been the exact choice of words needed to explain how I felt; However that’s what came out when I wrote that post, and I don’t think it was a coincidence.

Let’s think about medicine. Most all medicines have side effects to them. So, let’s think of fear as a medicine. If you take fear, the side effects are often doubt, frustration, paralyzation, and unbelief. There can many more side effects, but just to be transparent these were mine.

On the other side of fear is clarity, momentum, and confidence. Now something to understand about fear, is that it’s not really about the thing you think you’re afraid of. It’s about what is on the other side of it.

 

You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result — the survival of many people. - Genesis 50:20

 

This verse is about the incredible story of Joseph, and how his brothers sold him into slavery. Little did his brothers know, the very thing they thought was meant to break him was something that would help and free many other people. See fear is really just trying to stop you from getting to the other side of victory. While this particular story isn’t about fear necessarily, it is an indication of what is the result of things meant to break us or keeps us bound.

What his brothers planned for evil against him, brought the survival of many people. On the other side of the fear you’re facing is something meant to help someone else. For example, on the other side of the fear of writing that book you’ve been thinking about, is the very encouragement someone needs. On the other side of the fear of starting that new class is knowledge and power for you to go out and change the world. On the other side of starting that coaching academy, is hundreds of free people walking in their purpose.

Fear isn’t really about the thing you’re afraid of. Fear is about stopping the result of what will come to pass when do you what God has called you to do. 

I love writing, but I stopped, for a while, because of fear. I wasn’t myself, and I just felt frustrated and stuck. When you are living out the calling on your life, you feel unstoppable and you walk in true identity and authority. 

So, how do we stop taking this drug called fear? How do we get rid of these side effects? I think it starts with just moving in the direction you’re most afraid of. Again, the fear that I’m referring to is the fear of doing what the Lord has placed on your heart to do. I am not referring to any kind of abuse or toxic situations. If you are not in a safe place you need to get help. Here are a few helpful links if you need them, domestic abuse, child abuse, food scarcity, shelters in your area. 

For example, if fear is captivating you in writing, I would start with writing in a journal and if it makes you feel better, get a journal with a lock on it. What does this do? You’ve made a step towards fear. Whether the goal is to write a book or just a caption on Instagram, you’ve still made a step. Break down the dream or vision into smaller pieces and pick one to go after.

If you have a dream to start a vlog, maybe start with just recording your voice. Pick a topic that you want your vlog to be about and then just record your voice. If that’s too scary, write out bullet points of what you would want in your blog. Just start somewhere. 

Fear wants you to just sit and do absolutely nothing. It wants you to be paralyzed. Break that with action. God has not given you a spirit of fear. That’s really all you need to know. God didn’t give you this thing. So, let’s get rid of it. Let’s stop taking fear. We have authority as believers to overcome fear. Fear doesn’t have to win.