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 By: Dr. Skip Myers EdgefieldDaily.com Columnist web posted September 26, 2007 COLUMNIST – I saw a survey the other day entitled, “The Top 10 Fears that Keep People from Getting What They Want in Life.” As I read through the survey, I discovered that the fears listed not only serve to keep us from getting what we want but they are fears that we experience everyday. Fear is a highly restricting and confining emotion. It can virtually paralyze us and hold us captive. Most people are too afraid to admit to such fear because we have been taught that fear is a sign of weakness. And yet, it is something we experience daily. Fear causes a fight or flight reaction within us. When we feel backed into a corner we tend to come out fighting. Whether we are fighters at heart or not we believe we have no other means of dealing with the object of our fear other than to confront it and hope for the best. But in most cases, we tend to choose the flight option. We run from our fears. And this is where we get our Top Ten list. You cannot get in life what you are running from. Fear can drive us away from opportunities, relationships, organizations, and even God Himself. Let’s take a moment and briefly examine each of these fears. I truly believe the Bible has an answer for each one of these. God doesn’t want us to live in the restrictive nature of fear. Life is meant to be experienced in joy and love. As you explore the fears that are attempting to keep you from gaining all the Lord has for you, remember this one amazing verse in the Bible found in 1 John 4:18-19, There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear; because fear involves punishment and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us. Fear #1: Fear of Failing: We cannot possibly be a success at everything we do. We are imperfect and will fail. God knows this and that’s why the cross brings forgiveness. Remember, God came to us even when we couldn’t come to Him. Read Romans 5:8. God knows you perfectly and still did what it took for you to have a relationship with Him. There is only one true failure and that is failing to have a relationship with the Lord. Fear #2: Fear of Success: This world is oppressive and abusive. It makes us believe that we don’t deserve success because we are basically worthless. So we self-destruct any opportunity we have for success. Read Romans 8:15-17. If you know Jesus you are an adopted child of the King! You can’t be a bigger success than that. Maybe what you need to do is allow the Lord to change your definition of success. See it from His point of view and not from the numbers in you bank account. Fear #3: Fear of Being Judged: Who do you allow to assign value to what you do and who you are? Whose opinion has the power to stop you in your tracks? These people are your judges and you fear their opinions. The only problem is that they are imperfect and judge your life with imperfect, manipulatively selfish standards. Read Psalm 135:14. The Lord is the righteous, perfect judge. He evaluates our lives with compassion and always leads us to in a better way. You can trust His opinion of your life. I think you might be surprised just how much He truly loves you. Fear #4: Fear of Emotional Pain: So many of these fears are simply a part of being alive. They are inescapable even though they may be painful. Running just makes us more tired when they finally catch up to us. And they will. Emotional pain is part of feeling life. The destructive negative aspect of emotional pain comes when we attempt to deal with it all alone. Read Psalm 55:16-18. God wants to share and shoulder your emotional pain. Pour it out on Him—He can take it. Fear #5: Fear of Embarrassment: No matter how hard you try it seems that there is always someone around ready to point out every mistake we make. Embarrassment and shame go hand-in-hand. It’s that feeling of wanting to go crawl in a hole and hide. Instead of allowing those who make themselves bigger by making you feel smaller, realize who you are before the Lord. We all make mistakes and sin—confess it, learn from it, and move on. Read Psalm 25:18-20 and 2 Timothy 1:12. Next week: Part 2 For all
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