#fromwhereIsit on FEAR Part 2

As I mentioned last week, a friend and colleague of mine, Kim Miller, recently penned an excellent acronym, “FEAR- False Evidence Appearing Real.”

This is precisely what I experienced on the previously mentioned Amtrak ride. This FEAR is no doubt what you have experienced when awaiting a doctor’s report. It’s the FEAR you may face when boarding an aircraft or train. Perhaps like me, you have a fear of heights.

I took the photo above while standing 1,050 feet above the streets of New York City last month. I wasn’t really afraid of the height. I was afraid of falling 1,050 feet! Maybe you’d be afraid of the building being attacked or becoming structurally unstable and collapse from the force of wind guests. My point- there is generally an underlying root cause to a fear we experience. More on this later.

No matter your circumstance, the “what ifs” of FEAR will continue to plague you until, as Jon Acuff says, you “punch it in the face.” Admittedly, I’m not a good fear boxer yet, but I’m practicing swinging back at this mighty foe.

Here is my practical approach to punch FEAR in the face. Take a look at the fears you wrote down after reading my post last week, and see if you can apply the following principles to fight your fears.

Combating FEAR

1. Acknowledge the FEAR. This is the easiest step. Boxers know they are in a fight. You need to admit this too. You must first acknowledge you are afraid of False Evidence Appearing Real before you can aptly combat the FEAR. Realize that worry, anxiety and sometimes even anger, are actually just symptoms of fear.

2. Uncover the underlying issue. Dig deeper. Boxers learn as much as they can about an opponent well before the fight. Most FEAR has deeper roots within our hearts. Digging up the roots can be the most difficult step in overcoming fear. For example, a fear of a cancer diagnosis is often rooted in the fear of death or dying. Christians who find confidence in their eternal home will even struggle with this fear. Personally, the three fears on my list are rooted in a lack of control over situations, circumstances or people. Recognizing this underlying issue allows me to move on the next stage.

3. Put FEAR into proper perspective. As fighters enter the ring, they focus on remaining calm. Inner calm yields a sense of control. We must face fear with the same perspective. “It’s probably nothing” are words that have never comforted me in the midst of fear. However, more often than not, these sentiments are correct. We often think we’re the 1% that will get the terminal illness, and Google is there prove our point as we match our symptoms to the ones listed on that amazingly informational website we’ve found. Never mind we have the same symptoms as a common cold and anyone turning 35 years old!

4. Take Action. And finally, it’s time to come out fighting. Decide to do something that combats the fear, and take action! 2 Corinthians 10:5 calls us to take our thoughts captive. Shift focus to something you can act upon. I focus on someone else instead of focusing on my fear. For instance, when fear creeps in, I pray for my family and friends. There  will always be someone in need. I pray for them, call them, SERVE them. I encourage you to do the same. Focus on others with your thoughts, your prayers and your time. This action can serve as a KO to fear. Hours, days and weeks can pass before the fear you were punching gets up off the mat for round two. When it does, help someone else!