How to Overcome Insecurity Caused by Fear Part 2

**Please read Part 1 here if you have done so already.

Last week we talked about how fear can be a major factor in insecurity and how sometimes our fears can cause us to see ourselves differently than we really are (click on the post link above to get caught up).  I, myself, have dealt with a number of fears that have caused me to feel insecure.  Growing up I said I would never have kids, but I honestly think that stemmed from some fear.  I feared that I didn’t have what it took to be a good mom.  I feared what it would do to my body.  I also feared the pain of childbirth.  After having 2 kiddos, I now know that those fears were unfounded—although somewhat true, they were nothing to truly fear.  I was able to fight through and overcome each of them.  I also used to have a fear of teaching (again…I always said I would NEVER be a teacher).  I had so much self-doubt in that area that I made excuses about why I shouldn’t teach others (read more about it in this post here).  It’s kind of funny about how the devil often plants fears right smack in the middle of God’s plan and calling on our life.

Previously, we discussed a couple of practical steps to fight fear in order to overcome insecurities in these areas.  A couple of the steps included just facing the fear head-on and going ahead and doing whatever it is that is causing us fear.  This in turn builds our confidence and those insecurities will start to slowly fade in that area.  We also discussed the step of trusting in God and in His abilities more than our own.  We are not alone, and we don’t have to face the fears of life as if we are.  We have so much strength available to us if we will just lean on it.

A long time ago I heard an acronym for “fear” that I really liked.  You may have heard it as well.  It is that fear stands for False Evidence Appearing Real.  The idea is that a lot of times (not always), those things that we fear don’t even exist.  It makes me think of those times when I’ve been afraid of a silhouette or an image in the dark because it looked like a person standing there, but then when the lights were turned on it was simply something similar in shape and size and not a person at all.  

This image helps me to understand that light overcomes the dark.  The unknown things are in the dark.  We often fear the unknown.  When we let the light in, the light shows the truth.  I can conquer my fear when I remember that Jesus is light and truth.  God’s word is light and truth.  It will expel the darkness and expose things.  Darkness and fear flee when the light is let in.  In other words, Jesus and God’s Word (when relied upon) will alleviate the fear and subsequential insecurities in our life.

“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 (NLT) 

“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (NLT)

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 (NIV) 

“Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live.” Psalm 43:3 (NLT) 

“But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible” Ephesians 5:13 (ESV) 

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 (ESV) 

“Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.” John 3:20 (NIV)

The devil wants to use fear to paralyze us, to stop us in our tracks, and to keep us from moving forward or from moving in the direction that God is leading us.

We often waste time, effort and energy fearing and worrying about things that will never actually happen.  The devil uses fear as a stop sign to keep us from moving forward.  It reminds me of the Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner cartoons where they were always changing the road signs to trick each other.  The signs they posted were either not the real road signs or they were inaccurate road signs to throw each other off course.  This is what the devil does to us with fear.

God doesn’t want us to fear.  Fear is not from Him.  God says “fear not”.  Why?  Because He is with us. 

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

 “Fear not there is nothing to fear…” Isaiah 41:10a (AMP)

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) 

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

Take Some More Practical Steps to Overcome Insecurity Caused by Fear:

• Distinguish between a healthy fear and an unhealthy fear. Healthy fear protects you (i.e. fear of fire, fear of certain people, etc.).  Whereas an unhealthy fear holds you back from success (i.e. fear of stepping out of your comfort zone, fear of rejection, etc.).
• Realize that some fear is unjustified and unfounded. It’s simply based on something that may not even be real.  FEAR=False Evidence Appearing Real.  In situation where you experience fear, just tell yourself, “This might just be false evidence appearing real.  This _____ may not even exist, or this thing that I fear may not even happen.”
• Ask yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” Then realize that no matter what it is, even IF it does happen (which is probably won’t), you’re going to be OK.  You have a God that has your back.  He won’t fail you.  He can right any wrong.
• Fear is darkness so rely on light and truth to expel it—Look to Jesus and God’s Word to get rid of fear. Read your bible in those specific areas where you experience fear.  For example, in any area where you have fear, look up verses about that particular fear and study people in the bible who experienced what you fear, and learn how they handled it or how God helped them.

Here are a few examples (click reference to read a related verse):

Fear of not being enough–2 Corinthians 3:5, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Fear of the unknown–Isaiah 46:9-10

Fear of other’s opinions–Galatians 1:10, Romans 8:31

Fear of harm–Psalm 91, Psalm 121:7, Luke 10:19

Fear of failure–Philippians 4:13, Romans 8:28, Joshua 1:8

Fear of rejection–Matthew 10:14, Ephesians 1:11

Fear of not being loved/wanted–Ephesians 3:16-21, John 3:16

Fear of losing something–2 Thessalonians 3:3, Joel 2:25

Fear of being alone–Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5

Fear of bad things happening–Psalm 23:4, Psalm 91

• Fight fear with FAITH. Have faith that God is always with you.  Have faith in God’s promises for you.  Find a promise to stand on—find a bible verse that fits your situation.  Write the verse down (i.e. on a post-it note or index card), post it somewhere where you will see it often (I personally like my bathroom mirror or in my car by the cup holders), and say it out loud when you see it.  By doing this, you will build your faith, alleviate your fear and build your confidence.
• Pray about your fear. Give it to God.  I also pray in the Holy Spirit when I’m afraid.  I often do this before a confrontation that seems a little scary, before an important presentation or speaking engagement, or anytime that I feel a panic attack or anxiety coming on.  This almost always calms me down and reduces or eliminates my fear.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) 

“I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 (KJV)

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit” Jude 1:20 (ESV) 

Terri Savelle Foy says, “Fight fear with a plan” and “the more you get to know God, the more confident you become in His love for you. The more confident you become, the less fear you have.”  It’s time to start fighting your fears and overcome your insecurity!

What steps are you going to start taking to fight your fear?  Leave a comment below (click on the post link to join the conversation if you’re viewing through e-mail) or take the conversation to your favorite social media channel (sharing links below). 

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If you have benefited from this post or if you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward and share this post with them via the sharing links below! “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 1 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)