ConneXus Blog

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Most of you have probably never even heard of it before, but for a period of time I was really captivated by a show on television called Charmed.  The premise was, like many shows, a battle between those who fight for the cause of good and those who fight to see evil prevail.  In the show they often referred to an entity called “The Big Bad”.  It was a mysterious and altogether illusive force of evil not to be reckoned with by anyone other than those who were charmed. 

Many of you know I have struggled with fear (on many levels) for most of my life.  For me, it is The Big Bad I am constantly petitioning God to confront.  I also recognize that I am not the only one who suffers from this fear factor.  So, in another attempt to bring truth to battle this force of darkness it seems divinely appointed that I share something I received just yesterday on this very subject. 

I believe it’s brief but deep truth could be helpful for all of us today.

"Fear" — by Lou Tice
Nothing blocks change quite the way fear does, and when its power is greater than your power to push through it, fear is devastating. In his book, "Getting Unstuck," Dr. Sidney Simon discusses ten ways fear blocks change, and today I'd like to pass this information along to you.

Fear persuades you to do less than you are capable of doing. It triggers internal defense systems and fools you into thinking that you have perfectly good reasons not to change. Fear, particularly fear of making mistakes, causes indecisiveness and stops you from knowing what you really want. It warps your perception of your life and what you can do to make it better.

Fear keeps you from asking for help when you need it or benefiting from the emotional support offered to you. To calm your fears, you develop unhealthy habits and behavior patterns. Fear makes you give up one step short of your goal. And finally, fear keeps you from taking the risks necessary for growth.

Fear can control your life if you let it. But you can push through it if you can relax physically and mentally, and develop the habit of taking well-chosen risks - small ones at first, then bigger ones. Affirmations and visualizations are a great help too. If you get into the habit of vividly seeing yourself achieve success, you can overcome the paralyzing effects of fear and move confidently into the good life you deserve.

What types of fears do you have that are preventing you from positive change?