Imprisoned by fear

Many of us have been at one time or another been imprisoned by our fears.  Any time we allow a fear to hold us back and keep us away from becoming we allow fear to imprison us.  Whether it be an irrational fear, those fears that run rampant in our minds that keep us from moving forward, or an actual fear, like the fear of being abused by others, it will restrain us and hold us back.  Anytime we choose to not challenge that which we fear we are placed into a bondage that is very difficult to overcome.  I have had many such fears in my life.  We all have.  Anyone who has not had to face fear needs to check their pulse.  Fear is part of life.

Fear starts as a protection.  We see danger, imagined or otherwise, and fear rises as a defense mechanism designed to keep us from harm.  However if we allow that fear to overcome us we can never truly live.  And yet much of what we fear actually cannot harm us.  The harm is only perceived.  A fear of failure comes as a result of criticism and never having felt like you are able to successfully accomplish anything.  It brings with it a feeling of worthlessness and will keep you in bondage and you never try new things because of your fear.  And yet failure cannot harm us.   The danger is only in our minds and yet it seems so overpowering. 

Brendan Francis said “Many of our fears are tissue-paper-thin, and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them. ”  It only seems that what we fear is actually as difficult to overcome as it feels.  Fear can be overcome, and some people have learned to overcome their fears and they are the people who we admire through history.  “There are very few monsters who warrant the fear we have of them.”  ~Andre Gide

If we can learn to see our fears as an opportunity instead of a barrier we can get past them.  But it takes a decision to begin to move on, the support of someone who cares for us, and the courage to push forward.  Our fears are not as big as they seem.  “Fear has a large shadow, but he himself is small.”  ~Ruth Gendler.  But it is up to us to determine to overcome.  If we choose to see our fears as to great to overcome then they will continue to keep us bound up and unable to grow.  “If a man harbors any sort of fear, it percolates through all thinking, damages his personality and makes him a landlord to a ghost.” ~Lloyd Douglas.

We can accomplish great things if we can overcome our fears.  “Anything I’ve ever done that ultimately was worthwhile… initially scared me to death.” ~Betty Bender.  That which we dream about doing, and the things we have strong desires to do all can be realized if we can overcome our fears.  Fear is part of life, but doesn’t have to keep us from our dreams.  “You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith”  ~Mary Manin Morrissey. 

There is a promise of peace that we can have that can allow us to overcome our fears.  God promises us freedom from the bondage of fear.  If we will accept His offer and begin to face our fears we can overcome them and live freer lives.