The Benefits of Fear

Happy Self-Love Sunday!

I like to spend Sundays reflecting on the week before and planning for the week ahead. During the summer, Sundays are dedicated to cleaning the house, making lunch for the week ahead, picking outfits for work and pampering myself. The mornings are filled with smooth R&B and bubble baths while the evenings are accompanied by old movies or a series of YouTube videos. Last week on “The Introvert’s Escape Maneuver” we explored the idea that we could be holding onto things in our metaphorical “storage units” that may be holding us back. This week I want to focus on the benefits of fear. Fear is defined as “an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger”.

Many times we associate fear with negativity…

Fear makes us anxious

Fear has the ability to control our actions

Fear can stop us from reaching our goals

but let’s see if perspective can change our opinion of fear. Fear is created in the mind and occurs BEFORE an activity takes place or because we KNOW that the outcome of the activity will be unpleasant or dissatisfying. Have you ever found yourself enjoying something you were once afraid of? I have.

Personally, Social Anxiety makes some situations and environments borderline terrifying. I have fears based on experiences and fears I’ve acquired because I don’t want some else’s experience to become my own. I also fear that my actions may have a negative affect on others.

Most of the time our fears are completely valid and rational. The problem comes when we allow these fears to stop us from achieving our goals.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear” -Nelson Mandela

Having fears and being afraid is human nature…it is our responsibility to handle these fears appropriately. In the same way that holding onto unhealthy relationships or habits can inhibit our growth, holding onto fears that do nothing but bring us down can end up stopping us from reaching our goals.

Is the box you find yourself stuck in created by your own fears?

Are you afraid of making changes in your life but find yourself unhappy with your circumstances every day?

Fear reminds us that we’re human and we aren’t invincible. However, if we allow it to, it can end up leading to our demise. We may get stuck in a cycle that fear tells us we aren’t capable of escaping from. Today is the day we break free. I am strong enough to break any cycle and so are you.

From a Christian perspective, the most important part of being a “Believer” (someone who believes in God and the Bible) is actually believing. I know “believing” sounds easy or too abstract to fully understand but I try to think of my responsibility as a Believer as

1. Reading the Bible

and

2. Actually believing all of the promises God makes to His children.

As a Believer I am tasked with reading 2 Timothy 1:7 and knowing that dilapidating fear does not come from Him. When fear stops us from achieving our goals it is our job to be strong and courageous.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

This summer I’ve decided to turn all of my fears into something tangible, something I can use to keep me warm because I’m tired of every rational and irrational fear holding me back. I’m turning my fears into kindle to light the fire underneath me and I’m becoming a better person because of them.

“I’ve learned that fear limits you and your vision. It serves as blinders to what may be just a few steps down the road for you. The journey is valuable, but believing in your talents, your abilities, and your self-worth can empower you to walk down an even brighter path. Transforming fear into freedom – how great is that?” Soledad O’Brien

Starting today, turn every fear that is limiting you and your vision into freedom. If your fear is blinding you and crippling you it’s serving the wrong purpose. Fear only has as much power as you give it. Its only fitting that I insert a quote from my girl Leonorah. This week, she and I have been talking about fear and many other things. After I told her that I’m turning my fears into something I can actually use she said,

“I see fear as motivation. Like good stress”

Always remember that fear is natural but instead of allowing it to hold you back, use it to motivate you to do and be better.

Happy Self-Love Sunday! Have a great week and use the time you have to actively turn fear into freedom! ✨