I used to be afraid of many things. Afraid of the dark (still now and then), for insects (God help me), for the dentist, public speaking, horror movies, sickness and to gain weight. I’ve spent too much time to be afraid. What you focus on will grow and this is also the case for fear. I don’t want my life to be dominated by fear, insecurity, and doubts. I can openly talk about my fears, acknowledge them, but let them dissolve without identifying with them.
There’s a common mistranslation of saying: “I am afraid,” as if the fear is us, forever. We don’t say, “I am fever” or “I am a sore throat.” No, in those cases we understand that the condition we are in is temporary, something we have for now, but won’t have forever. Yet, if it comes to fear, we often translate it as something that we are, like it’s part of our identity.
I want to remind you that God created you, me, all of us in His own image and likeness, in order to rule over the world. (Genesis 1:27) We ARE not afraid. We sometimes experience fear, this is quite different from, “I’m afraid.” Instead let us practice saying, “I am love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, because these are the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22)
Do you experience some level of fear from time to time? This is absolutely normal, but don’t cling to it like you own it, it’s not your identity. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
With so much love and gratitude x
Mel
