Jill Johnson
By JILL JOHNSON
I will be the first to admit that I can be a very fearful person. I still remember the feeling as a child of being so scared of shadows in the window at night.
Fear can stir up crazy scenarios in your mind. I honestly have to continually fight the urge to fear. I look back and recall watching my middle daughter struggle with fear growing up as well — maybe still at times.
I even saw Camden, our grandson, struggle a little with fear last week when we took him to Fernbank. There were several interactive displays that he could participate in. He went in full force to try each one with no hesitation. There was one in particular that had a loud noise when you least expected it. It totally scared him. After the first time, you could watch his face and actions and know he was aware and afraid of what was coming next. I have to say it did not stop him from doing the activity. He adjusted his mindset, had faith he could accept what was coming, and did not resign or surrender to the fear of what might come next.
We have four granddaughters living with us and I have observed how fear can be a struggle in their daily lives. Resigning to fear can have horrible implications.
Understanding why you are afraid, accepting that you are not in control, and exercising your trust and faith in God can change the way you view fearful situations. I have watched and agonized over the past few months as one of my granddaughters has dealt extensively with fear in many different situations. We have seen the toll it has taken on her. Faith over fear is the truth I keep reminding her of daily. She has made some huge strides in this area, but I know from experience that fear is always lurking. Satan is just waiting for all of us to give any slight consideration to that fear.
Here are some things I have to tell myself when that fear starts to seep into my thoughts and mindset. First I have to remind myself that I am not in control of the situation that I am fearing. I do not like flying. I can make myself a nervous wreck. I don't let it stop me from flying but I do have to take precautions to not let fear control me. The question I have to ask myself is, "Do I accept in faith that God is in control, or do I resign to fear and create emotional chaos?" God's control or Jill's chaos?
I believe you know which one I have to choose every time. Joshua 1:9 "Have I (God) not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Wherever my mind might go — God is there. Wherever fear might take me — God says do not be afraid for He is there with me. Accept in faith that God is in control and do not resign to the fear of your chaos!
Another thing I have learned is to not resign or concede to fearful situations but accept and face the challenge by exercising and drawing on my faith in God. Conceding to fear can lead to defeat and disappointment. Accepting the challenge with faith in God can lead to personal growth. We don't learn by giving up and conceding. We learn by giving in to God and allowing and trusting Him to lead us through life's tough challenges.
I can tell you that children are God's gift to us, but they are also teaching us how to deal with challenges. I can assure you if you have a special needs child you can be desperate daily for God to lead you through as you face those life challenges.
We give up when we concede to fear. We need to give in and allow our faith in God to lead us when we face the challenges of life walking with God. Conceding can paralyze you with fear. Facing the challenges with God allows you to move forward. Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." God can handle all of our challenges. We can "think" we have our plan and then the plan falls apart. This causes us to concede to fear and just give up. The better choice is to give in and allow our faith in God to take over knowing He has all the plans.
Another thing I have to ask myself is do I want to be the victim, or do I want to be victorious? Fear makes me a victim, but faith makes me victorious.
I am not a confrontational person. I can, at times, surrender to my fear and not face the confrontation. I can choose to be silent and overlook things because of what others "might" think or what "could" happen. More times than others I can be a victim to that fear if I allow it to control my emotions. That is not a good place to be.
I can convince myself that I "know" what others are thinking and I become a victim to those fearful thoughts. Deuteronomy 20:4 reads, "For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." My mindset has to be determined not to allow fear to make me the victim. I know according to my faith, God's Word, and my trust in God that I am already victorious. 1Corinthians 15:57 reads, "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." I am not a victim but victorious by my faith in God.
Fear is the enemy. Remind yourself to have faith that God is in control and avoid the chaos of fear. Remind yourself not to concede to the fear but to exercise your faith in God to face the challenges of life. Lastly, remind yourself that fear desires to make you the victim, but faith always makes you victorious.
Faith has Godly benefits that fear doesn't allow. Your fear will tell you to give up, but your faith will give you the resilience to face the challenges that fear says you can't. Give in to God and be victorious.
I'm choosing my faith in God each and every time that fear wants to creep in! What about you? My advice is to choose faith over fear!
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Jill Johnson, a staff member at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother and Georgian. She is available to speak to your church's women's gatherings. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org.
