Walk it out: 3 steps to overcome fear and walk in faith

What fears are you facing right now?

Maybe you are facing a fear of failure or fear of criticism. For some, it could be the fear of disappointing others. Whatever it may be for you, fear keeps us from taking that next step forward and saying “yes” to God’s will for our lives.

I get it.

There are too many times that my struggles with fear have caused me to stay paralyzed. Not moving forward, but life still passing me by. I was no closer to my purpose or my dreams. Instead of a sense of accomplishment, I was terrified of the what ifs.

I became more invested in helping others embrace their God identity and started ignoring the steps toward my own identify because I was filled with fear. My heart could not take another disappointment, another rejection, another failure. So I wore my fear like a garment.

Can you relate?

Then it one day I was presented with a question.

What would you do if you weren’t filled with fear?

Hmmmm. In that one question, I took a step back and began the journey I am going to share with you.

So as you read through this today, I ask you the same question. What would you do if you weren’t filled with fear?

Would you start the business?
Would you take a chance on love again?
Would you join the small group?
Would you go back to school?

Not sure how to overcome fear so that you can walk boldly in faith? Here are three steps that you can take today to get you unstuck and moving forward.

Know the truth

Most fears are not rooted in reality. They are rooted in our perception of what we think may or may not happen. We prepare ourselves for rejection. We anticipate being left out. We work ourselves up into anxiety-ridden people, unable to sleep and scared to take the next step forward. This is why it is essential to know the truth of God’s word.

What does God’s word say about where you are? Maybe it easy to believe the lies of fear because you don’t know God’s truth for yourself. Just because other people may have spoken ugly things over your life, this does not have to be your truth. Who does God say you are? What does God’s word say about your situation? The first step to overcome fear is knowing the truth of God’s word.

The more time we spend in His presence and His word, the more we can activate our faith in fearful situations.

We shift from anxiety to faith. Instead of staying up late with worry, we can rest peacefully knowing that “God is working all things together for the good of them who love Him and are called according to His purpose for them” (Romans 8:28). Fear ceases to hold the keys to our hearts and our minds because we choose to meditate on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable” (Philippians 4:8).

Take a step

Fear is a hidden trap designed to keep us stuck in one place. But let me tell you, if you would just take one step forward, you will find that fear loses its power. To walk in faith, you have to do the work. No one is responsible for where you are but you. So if you don’t like where you are, then you have a decision to make. Either I am going to feed my fear, or I am going to feed my faith. Fear says to stay right where you are; you don’t matter, it won’t happen.

But when you take the step to walk in faith, a faith of a mustard seed moves mountains; faith causes dead things to rise, faith in Christ can make the impossible thing possible.

What does taking a step to overcome fear look like for you?

Maybe it is attending a meeting at the public library to learn more about small business. Or calling that friend you miss to start mending the relationship. It could be sharing your dreams with a close family or friend. Whatever it is, I encourage you to MOVE. Don’t stay where you are.

Learn the art of getting up

Some of the greatest fears holding people back from moving forward in faith are the fear of failure, fear of loss, and fear of inadequacy.

We spend too much time trying to protect ourselves from what we fear that we prevent ourselves from growth. Anytime we take a step forward, anything can happen. Sometimes we experience success. (YAY!!!) Then other times, well, we don’t. The idea we had flopped. The relationship ends. The bills get tight. At that moment is when we learn the art of getting up.

Fear will tell you that you should never have taken a step in faith toward your dream. Fear will try to convince you that you need to give up your hope. Fear will whisper the voice you heard was yours and not God. Fear will try to be anything to keep stuck, unproductive and barren.

On the other hand, when we experience the failures, the flops, the setbacks, we fall, and we learn to get back up and overcome fear. Seriously! Read your word, grab your coffee, fix your ponytail and get to work. You are God’s masterpiece. His best work. He spent time intentionally creating you. Don’t let anything hold you back from living a full life in Christ and that includes—YOU!

Walk it out,