How to Feel Secure in the Face of Fear
“When I focus on God’s presence with me, I am able to confront and overcome my fears. What I’m realizing is that most of those worrisome fears are false realities!”
Photo by Janelle Pol
In 2016, I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. My mind tends to worry about things, anything really, if I let it. “If I tell people about Jesus, will they hate me?” “If I stand up for myself, will that make me more of a target?” “If I’m less than perfect, will I lose love?” If I’m not overly productive, will I be significant?” These are just some examples of the worries that ricochet off the walls of my mind at any given moment. And this is the way my brain has worked for most of my life. Since my brain works this way, it makes me hesitate in different areas of my life, especially when it comes to rocking the boat or being contrary. I avoid anything that may put me at risk of losing love or acceptance from others. Now, don’t get me wrong; God continues to help me be bold, and I don’t always give in to these fears, but my nature is to be constantly worried and fearful.
In 2020, a lot of people’s fears became reality. They lost loved ones, jobs, and hopes, and they forfeited dreams. So far, I’ve been fortunate enough to still have my loved ones and my job as an 8th grade English teacher. I still have hope for the future and, by the grace of God, life has not choked out all my dreams. And yet, the very presence of the possibility of losing these things, of succumbing to tragedy, are enough to paralyze me.
HAVING FAITH
I want to have more faith instead of fear. Of course I want to have faith that this year will be more prosperous, that I’ll save more money, get engaged to my boyfriend, be more fruitful with sharing about Jesus, be more productive, and grow more in various areas of my life. And these are all good things. But these hopes cannot consistently make me secure. Even if all of these come true, these circumstances wouldn’t help me overcome my fears. It is God’s promise that he is with me, and that I do not need to be afraid, that transforms my fears. Heading into 2021, I look forward to continuing to grow in holding onto the truth about my security in God — that he loves me no matter what — and moving forward in faith even if I’m afraid.
The most significant and uncertain aspect of my future right now is the relationship with my boyfriend. We started dating in 2020. It’s been a meaningful relationship and experience. I believe God is using this relationship to help me realize that my worries do not always accurately reflect reality. For example, I continue to notice fears that come up when conflict arises. I wonder to myself, “What could this mean?” “Is our relationship unhealthy?” “Is this going to work out?” “Will this just be another failed relationship?” And while I wish I didn’t have these anxious thoughts, I am learning to confront my fears and continue to invest in this relationship that is a blessing from God.
FINDING COMFORT
When I focus on God’s presence with me, I am able to confront and overcome my fears. What I’m realizing is that most of those worrisome fears are false realities! As I go into 2021, my desire is to cherish his comforting presence even more in the face of both internal and external fears and conflicts.
I want to encourage you to reject and overcome your fears, particularly those for 2021, and instead surrender your anxious thoughts to God. Find comfort from God’s presence with you as well as his promise that when you turn to him, he can work towards freeing you from your anxious fears.
You’ll find, as I am finding, that rather than allowing fear to overwhelm us, we can leverage it as a doorway into deeper comfort and intimacy with the Creator. That is a security that no human or circumstance can take away.