Three shades of fear

Few days ago, I wrote my first article of the year. The subject matter was fear. To be honest, the article was good. I learnt a lot and I assumed that it would be my first blog post for the year. However, I was led in a different direction. Today’s post is still about fear, but it is more personal than the initial article. I am convinced that you would relate to the fears I write about and more importantly, that you will hear God speak to you

Fear has been my companion for long. Longer than I care to admit. It comes in several shades. Today, I will share three shades of fear that I have experienced and how God is helping me overcome them. I am looking forward to reading about your fears and how you are learning to overcome. Here goes…

• Fear of under-performance: As someone who has a love for excellent things, I am usually scared of speaking or writing something that is less than satisfactory. I go over my articles again and again to ensure that they are good. Also, I sometimes shelf some ideas if I think that they are not excellent or of required standard. This can be a good trait, but for me it sometimes restricts me from starting up things and leads to “paralysis by analysis”
• Fear of inadequacy: When I get an idea, I sometimes wonder if I am qualified to carry out the requirements. For example, when I got the idea to start this blog, I shrunk back in fear. What would I write? Would I be able to keep the blog running? These and other similar questions tugged at my heart. Am I competent enough?” can be said to be the summary of the whole thing.
• Fear of tomorrow: This doesn’t require so much explanation. The uncertainties that come with the future scares me at times. I wonder what the future holds and how things would work out. It is useless to worry, but sometimes I can’t seem to get over it.

As I learn more from Christ and grow in Him, I am understanding ways to overcome the fears. In regards to the first two fears, I am learning that no one was born an expert. We all learn step by step. I can’t skip the learning curve, so it’s better I seek to develop myself as much as I can by investing in resources that aid growth.

One passage that has been of tremendous help is 2 Corinthians 3:5. “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” This passage calms my mind so much. It helps me to understand that on my own, I am not competent enough. It also points me to my source of sufficiency: God.

As for the fear of tomorrow, over and over God keeps taking me back to “yesterday”. As I am reminded of the great things that God has done in the past, I am encouraged to trust him with my tomorrow. Hebrews 13:8 reads “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” God doesn’t change, the challenges I face will change but I can rest safely in the knowledge that if He did it before, He would do it again. “He who promised is faithful”

So, I am encouraged to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus as I walk on water. The winds and waves are not my primary concern. As long as I have faith in Christ, my fears can’t cause me to sink. I choose faith over fear… What about you?

I am looking forward to reading your suggestions for me that would be helpful. Also, what shades of fear have you experienced and how are you overcoming them? Lest I forget… HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Awesome 2017 ahead in Jesus name. Amen.