Fear-B-Gone

Would you believe it takes courage to do homework?  Well, for me it does.

I've developed a funny little fear of homework.  What if I don't do well?  What if I don't finish? What if it takes forever? What if.....?

Like any fear- it cannot be handled by simply stopping with these thoughts.  There's more to it for the fear to get done with.  How does one handle fear?  Here's a simple two-step process.  There's more to it I'm sure, but these two basics are effective, with plenty of room for you to dig in further if you wish to.

1.  With TRUTH
e.g.:  I am an intelligent being capable of doing a fine job on homework.  I am at college for a reason.  God has me here for a reason.  I can do well-- whether the teacher grades "well" as a C or an A.  I can finish this work.

Look to the Bible for truth.  Ask God to show you truth.  Like even for homework;  I started a project by inviting God to be part of the homework process and praying that this project would be pleasing to Him and actually useful to someone.  So far this homework has been going well. Really well actually-- if someone was watching me do this homework, they would see me smiling and nodding emphatically at my computer and writing with an eager flourish.
When feeling of being overwhelmed creep up, I take a breath and reflect on God's character and how He delights to empower us....  as a daughter of God, i have more than enough "strength" to get this project done.

You could easily use this concept of using TRUTH with any number of fears.  Appearance, meeting new people, a difficult conversation, doing something you are afraid to do, overcoming something difficult,  etc.

2.  with ACTION
Truth isn't much use if it isn't put into action.  Notice above that part of the solution was making the choice to invite God into the process (talking to God).  Another is making the choice to learn about or recollect God's character to, kindly, give us strength..... etc.  (Joshua 1:9 says, "be strong and courageous-- don't be afraid or discouraged because the LORD is with you wherever you go.")

TO continue with my homework example:  Would my homework get done  if I merely knew I was strong enough and capable to do it?  That God would be with me?  NO! I actually have to get to doing it!  How can God be with me in it if I don't begin.  How can anything get done if I'm not setting myself up for success by putting forth some effort.

Figuratively "squash the bug of fear or worry" with your "shoe of truth". Yup, that sounds hokie! But do this repeatedly if you need to.  When a worry comes up-- allow yourself perhaps to really examine and think through it, once.....  Chew on all that worries you about this matter.....  But then, once you do that and you "squash it" with your new shoe....  Don't bother examining it any more if it returns that day.  Instead, almost as if it were instinct, jump to squash that worry with truth or to simply dismiss it with a breath, a tic on your paper, or just picturing a shoe squashing an ugly bug.  Do it again and again if that little worry re-appears.  Overcome that worry with being on the offense.


To CONCLUDE:  Overcoming fears can be a process and difficult, but we are "more than conquerors" in Christ.  Don't let fear hold you back from living the life you are equipped to live in Christ Jesus.  He has given us the means to live life to the fullest with Him daily.  Take up the offer and make each step in that gift.

Romans 8:31-39
What, then, shall we say in response to these things?  if God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?  It is God who justifies.  Who then is the one who condemns?  No one.  Christ Jesus who died-- more than that, who was raised to life-- is at the right hand of the and is also interceding for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written:

For your sake we face death all day long; 
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels no demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.