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Article: Overcoming Fear


by Candace N. Bennett

| Fear defined |

"That scares me", is something we are all too familiar with. Feeling afraid or scared is an emotion that is actually good for us. But, because of sin, we have the tendency to have unhealthy fear. Healthy fear protects, but unhealthy fear inhibits. According to June Hunt, "fear is in the mind of the beholder" (Hunt, 2013, p.5). What one person fears may not be fear inducing for another. June Hunt specifically defines fear as "a strong emotional reaction, real or imagined, rational, or irrational, normal or abnormal, to a perceived imminent danger characterized by a fight, flight, or freeze response" (Hunt, 2013, p. 9-10). In order to be mindful of fear in our daily lives we have to recognize how it is affecting our actions and choices?


Symptoms of Fear

Fear can express itself in numerous ways from rational to irrational fear. You are dealing with rational fear if you have been experiencing increased breathing, energy, heart rate, perspiration, and or talking (Hunt, 2013, p.23-24). You also might experience apprehension, hyperalertness, mind racing, muscles contracting, pupils dilated, and inability to sleep or relax (Hunt, 2013, p.23-24). However, you might be experiencing irrational fear if you are feeling additional symptoms such as choice paralysis, chest pain or discomfort, chills or hot flashes, choking sensation, tingling or detached sensations (Hunt, 2013, p. 24-26). You also might experience dizziness, fear of losing control, hyperventilating, rapid heart rate, sweating, helplessness or terror of dying, and shaking (Hunt, 2013, p. 24-26). 


Cause and Effects of Fear

Hunt states, “Fear is a natural human reaction to feeling threatened-either physically or emotionally -in these three areas: love, significance, and security” (Hunt, 2013, p.34). The things that we fear most usually challenges our basic needs. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, fear occurs when our safety and social needs like love, belonging, and protection are challenged. Fear can be caused by former fear-producing experiences. Fear can also cause emotional overload, avoidance of threatening situations, and runaway imagination (Hunt, 2013, p.36-41). Former fear producing experiences are usually past traumatic experiences that are showing up in present situations such as post-traumatic stress disorder. According to Sandhya Pruthi states, "post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event - either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event" (Pruthi, 2018). 

Fear also affects the emotions which can turn into emotional overload. Emotional overload happens when someone is denying their own feelings, possesses an excessive need to please people, and internalization of fear (Hunt, 2013). Secondly, fear can cause an avoidance of threatening situations such as refusing to face fears, giving no opportunity for change, continuing to reinforce your fears, and reinforce negative thought patterns (Hunt, 2013).  Lastly, fear causes runaway imagination such as expecting life to be threatening, assuming the worst will happen, believing you can never change, and thinking you have no control over the situation (Hunt, 2013). 

Although fear is a common emotion that we all experience, unhealthy fear that is unmanaged could cause one to build unhealthy boundaries. An identity built on fear produces a mindset of shame and low self worth. God designed us to live abundant healthy lives to live out the dreams God has given us . But, unhealthy fear that is unmanaged can inhibit growth and achievement. 


Steps to move from Fear to Courage 

In order to achieve the dreams God has given us, we have to move from fear to courage. We will never be able to live absent from fear, but we can learn how to use our fears as an opportunity to have courage. Fear Paul’s letter to Timothy, encourages him to be confident. Paul stated, 

“For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Tim 1:5-7, NASB).

Beginning steps: 

  1. Understand God’s salvific plan for you  (Hunt 2013, p.50-54)

  2. Identify your specific fear  (Hunt 2013, p.63)

  3. Ask yourself if what you are afraid of is certain to happen.  (Hunt 2013, p.65)

  4. Determine how current the fear that you are presently feeling is.   (Hunt 2013, p.65)

  5. Decide: if you are determined to get out of the grip of fear.  (Hunt 2013, p.66)


God has designed us to live abundantly in this life. Living in abundance was first introduced to mankind in the Garden of Eden, where there was no sin and shame. The Garden of Eden was a great example of what heaven is like (Gen.1, NASB). The more we learn to turn our fear into courage the closer we get to experiencing the abundant life on earth that God had designed for us. 

Responding to Fear

After you have acknowledged the fear you have to move from fear to courage, now you need to learn how to respond to fear when you experience it. Since we are unable to live absent from fear, it is important to learn how to manage it. Naturally, we react to things that trigger our fear rather than responding to it. But, if we want to better manage and control our reaction to fears for abundant living, we have to learn how to respond to them. We should respond to fear rather than react to things that trigger your fear. Irrational fear is a sign that you are reacting to fear instead of responding to fear. 

You can respond to fear by desensitization: 

  • Gradually increase your exposure (Hunt 2013, p.74)

  • Practice facing your fear (Hunt 2013, p.74)

  • Repeat exposure several times until it evokes little reaction (Hunt 2013, p. 76)

  • Counter your fears with facts (Hunt 2013, p.78-79)


Practicing desensitization will help you to embrace the confidence that God has given you to help you overcome your fears for abundant living. 


For serious phobic reactions, only practice desensitization with professional medical help.  


Scriptural Promises

Scripture reveals many instances where God’s people dealt with fear. Moses did not feel as though he was capable of doing what God was calling him to do (Ex. 3:11-4:10, NIV). Although, he was afraid he knew that God would fight for him. Later we see in the book of Deuteronomy Moses said to Israel, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deut. 31:6 NIV). The same comfort God gave Moses, is the same comfort he gave Israel and Joshua (Deut 31:6,7, 23; NIV).

References

Hunt, J. (2013). Fear: no longer afraid . Torrance: Rose Publishing.

Pruthi, S. (2018, July 6). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Retrieved from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967
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