5 Ways to Overcome Fear

I AM FEARLESS.

I AM FREE.

I AM ENOUGH.

I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED.

I SURRENDER.

Say it aloud with passion and authority.

A year ago, no one would have convinced me that I would be living in New Orleans for a period of time to fulfill a mission for God. I was given specific instructions on what I needed to do while I was there. I wasn’t told where I would be living; I wasn’t given a step-by-step direction of what to do; I hadn’t received anything that confirmed that I was physically, mentally, or emotionally prepared for this mission. I had to start overcoming my fear of perfection, excellent planning, and perhaps failure.

Here I was:

• Recovering from a brain injury
• Moving out of my fully furnished apartment
• Working on my doctorate
• Creating visions for my businesses and maintaining them
• No room for anything else

I only knew what God told me. Sell my furniture because my space in New Orleans would be furnished. I had some other instructions about texting one Spelman sister a specific question, and she gave me my next instruction. Everything was like a puzzle piece; if I followed the first advice, then the next puzzle piece fit together nicely until finally, as I’m now packing to leave New Orleans, I realize that the puzzle is now complete.

Let’s talk. Moving to New Orleans for God’s mission was not a completely fearless move at first because nothing was in place. I was only assured through what God told me. Some people in my circle did not understand what I told them. I’m sure there were some people who did not believe me. Then, there were some who supported me, even if they were slightly unsure. Therefore, I had EVERY RIGHT to be FULL OF FEAR! A new place, new people, only a car and clothes, no home, no furniture, a brain injury, etc—so many what ifs and no answers for them. However, once I arrived, then EVERY little detail fell into place eventually. I’m a firm believer that if God tells you to do something, then God prepares you and the environment for you.

What I have realized is that if I would have let fear and what others thought about my choice/mission deter me, then I would not have: 1. Met amazing people 2. Volunteered weekly at a homeless outreach 3. Honed my spiritual gifts 4. Grew my businesses 5. Tasted some yummy healthy foods 6. Increased the frequency of fun exercising 7. Had a successful, productive school semester 8. Lived in New Orleans 9. Fulfilled my mission. This experience was life changing in so many ways. One of the main ways is understanding that FEAR has no room in your life if you are really serious about fulfilling your life purpose and walking in purpose and on purpose.

When I think of fear, I think of imprisonment and confinement. You are not free to LIVE and just BE authentically YOU. So, what’s the purpose of living with a mask over your face pretending to be someone else and never following your dreams or passions? Being consumed with fear is making the choice to be stuck in the same mindset doing the exact same thing, and not accomplishing what you want for you or your family. If you are trying to get out the stuck zone, then consider these 5 ways to overcoming fear.

1. Serve People, but Please God

Stop worrying about what other people have to say about what God tells you. People constantly live in a state of fear and normalcy. If you mention something that’s unfamiliar with their normalcy, then instantly, a shield of fear appears because it is unknown to them. That has nothing to do with you. You are called to love people through service, but you are NOT called to please people. Pleasing God is your only concern. Once you understand that life is not about being a people pleaser, then you start to live without a fear of judgment.

2. Listen, Clarify, Confirm, and Move

Do not move foolishly in any direction. Make sure you are listening to the God-spirit within you either through prayer, daily conversation, religious text, and/or meditation. God confirms whatever God tells you throughout the season. You can always ask for clarification; the answer will be provided (not in the way that we always think it would.) Also, wise counsel is a great part of your clarification and confirmation. Then, once you receive the directions and the TIME, then go forward. Timing is vital; do not make decisions whenever you want to. There is a divine timing for all things.

3. Believe

Have faith in your goals and dreams. If you don’t believe in the visions that God has placed in your heart, then how can you expect someone else to believe them? Many times, you will be out your comfort zone; how can you grow if you are constantly doing things within your comfort zone? So, believe that you can do it. When God gives you direction, even if you feel unqualified and unprepared, know and have faith that you have everything inside of you to accomplish it. Whatever you feel that you are lacking, God has the rest. In our weaknesses, God’s strength is made perfect. (2 Corinthians 12:9). Therefore, you have everything that you need to move forward.

4. Get Rid of It

Fear will tell you what you CANNOT do; it will provide every reason why what you desire to do is the WRONG thing to do. Also, it will make you think that you are inadequate and not prepared for the task. YOU ARE ENOUGH! Yes, the what-ifs will enter your mind, but for every negative what-if, there is a positive one. For example, within the same context as above, I could have thought (and probably did at some point), what if I get to New Orleans, and I’m homeless? What if I didn’t really hear what I thought I did? On the hand, there is the positive side: what if I get there and have the time of my life? What if I get there, and the place to live appear? The positive side came true, so to overcome fear, exchange your negative what-ifs for positive what-ifs.

5. Just Do It

Sometimes, you just have to GO. You may not have one year to think about it or one month; some decisions are a split second decision. When your God-spirit tells you to act, you may not have time to analyze it and over-think it because you may miss what’s currently there for you. Go forward and trust that as God prepares and equips you, God is also preparing and equipping the people who you will be encountering. God always does His/Her job; we are the ones who don’t always do our parts. Don’t let that be you.

Overall, overcoming fear is about not being afraid to fail, to look “stupid,” to make mistakes, to get it right, to be GREAT, and to let your light shine. You will always have to take risks in life; some will be easier than others. Some will completely take you out your comfort zone. Where there is a risk, there is a net to appear. God will take care of you. God qualifies all that are called (1 Corinthians 1: 27-29) , so no worries.

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**How are you going to conquer fear this week? Comment below.**

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