Are You Ready to experience Freedom from Fear Today?
Understanding Fear: The Barrier to Freedom
Fear is a very common emotion that paralyzes us, preventing us from achieving the things God wants for our lives. It keeps us stuck. We all have different fears that we need to overcome. By asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to us what they are and confronting them with the word of God and the blood of Jesus, we can experience deliverance and become unstuck.
Identifying the Fears that Hold You Back
One morning as I was laying down in bed in the middle of the week in a stuck and idle season of my life, I began to think that there was no meaning or purpose to my life. At that moment an internal battle started to brew inside of me.
As a Christian I knew there had to be more to my life. Deep down I knew there had to be a calling and a purpose to my existence. In my distress, I asked the Lord to show me why my life was so stagnant.
As the morning advanced, the Lord began to highlight in my heart that fear was one huge factor that was keeping my life stuck. I immediately recognized that what the Lord was showing me was true.
Then, I asked the Holy Spirit to reveal to me the biggest fears that were keeping me stuck. In the following days the Lord divulged to me that I had been paralyzed by:
Fear of failure
Fear of rejection
Fear of stepping out of my comfort zone
Once I recognized these fears, I knew I couldn’t let them define my life anymore. Here’s what I did...
The Paralyzing Power of the Fear of Failure
According to the Cleveland Clinic , fear of failure is an intense panic of failing that can cause us to put off or avoid certain activities or scenarios that have the potential for unsuccessful outcomes. It makes us scared of trying new things, taking risks or embracing growth.
In my own personal experience, I was plagued with negative thoughts. I believed I was not good enough, prepared enough or smart enough to succeed. I didn’t think I had the necessary skills and knowledge to hold a good position at a company. I was terrified at the thought of getting fired for my ineffectiveness and getting judged by it.
I was also afraid of starting a company because I thought I was not qualified to run a successful business. I was petrified at the thought that when I failed, I was only going to set myself up for embarrassment.
I was not doing anything of real substance with my life out of the fear of failing.
How Fear of Rejection Creates Isolation
Medical News Today defines fear of rejection as a persistent and irrational fear of being socially excluded. It can be part of a social anxiety disorder or occur on its own. It can make a person display needy and clingy behaviors or make a person avoid interactions.
Growing up I was severely bullied at school. I had no friends and every day for years I experienced harsh words, comments and rejection from my classmates. I really dreaded going to school because it felt like torture.
I grew up afraid of people close to my age because I thought they were going to reject me or criticize me like the kids at school did. I was scared of opening up to potential friendships to protect myself from getting hurt. I became a very guarded person who was self conscious and preferred to be alone.
This fear of rejection closed many doors to good people, friendships and opportunities contributing to my stuck and isolated state in life.
Breaking Free from the Comfort Zone Trap
We tend to stay in our comfort zone to avoid feelings of stress, pain or anxiety. Stepping out of what we know and what we can control creates uncertainty making us feel anxious, something we want to avoid.
I was raised extremely sheltered. I rarely did different activities because of the possibility of getting hurt or something bad happening to me. Being encouraged to stay home as much as possible for safety reasons, made me fearful of going out. Instead of trying new things, I opted to always do what I always did to avoid any harm or discomfort.
Because of this, I got really comfortable in my own little world. My life was affected in a negative way since I was fearful to consider new opportunities and chase after so many dreams because it meant I had to step out of my comfort zone.
This fear made me miss out on many things in life that contributed to me becoming stuck.
As the Lord revealed these fears to me, I realized something profound: I had been living under fear despite being a Christian for many years…. I also knew that the spirit of fear was not from God and I needed to do something to be free from it.
Can you relate to any of these fears? How have they held you back in your life?
Conquering Fear Through Faith
In order to overcome the fears that were paralyzing me, I did these 2 things on a regular basis every time I felt fear creeping into my life:
Repeating the word of God: The first thing I did to overcome my fears was to repeat scripture over and over again declaring it over my life. The verse that really spoke to me was 2 Timothy 1:7 that says “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” The word of God is alive and has the power to set us free from whatever is holding us bound.
Pleading the blood of Jesus: If we have fear, it probably means we haven't let God take over that area of our life, therefore we are afraid. I started to pray for the Lord to take control over the areas of my life where I was afraid and for Him to deliver me of my fears.
The way to overcome this paralyzing spirit is by pleading the blood of Jesus over our fears. The blood has the power to deliver us and set us free from whatever is obstructing our lives.
I was determined to gain victory over fear because I no longer wanted to be paralyzed by it. The blood of Jesus has power and authority over every sin and demonic spirit trying to keep us stuck in life. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Revelation 12:11). Jesus died on the cross to make us completely free.
Experience Freedom Today: Take Action Against Fear
The word of God and the blood of Jesus are powerful tools we have in our arsenal that will guarantee us victory and deliverance over fear. My friend, if fear has been holding you back, I urge you to take action today.
Pray and ask God to reveal your fears.
Find Bible verses that speak to your specific fears.
Plead the blood of Jesus and declare victory over fear.
Start experiencing the freedom Christ has promised—a freedom that will transform your life and set you on the path to wholeness. “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” –Isaiah 41:10
What fears are holding you back today? How can you invite God into those areas to bring freedom?
I hope this word blessed you and encouraged you.
Much Love,
Jackie