A Quick Dance with Fear

Fear is like a shadow lurking in the heart, holding us back from taking risks and pursuing our dreams, our calling. But rather than running from it, we should embrace it. Learn from it. Understand what it’s trying to tell you—what vulnerabilities or uncertainties it’s pointing toward. When you confront fear and use it as a tool for learning about yourself, it can transform from a paralyzing force into a source of strength and motivation. So don’t shun your fears; instead, turn them into stepping stones.

One Way I Have Fought Anxiety

For years, I’ve wrestled with anxiety, a battle that often seemed endless and overwhelming. But in this fight, I’ve come to realize that one of the most potent weapons against the negative thoughts triggering my anxiety is my own mind.

I’m not talking about the “power of positive thinking,” some self-help mantra that can feel empty and cultish. No, I’m referring to a profound truth found in Proverbs 23:7, “As he thinketh in his heart, so he is.”

Our minds dictate our actions. Our thoughts form our reality. If we continually dwell on fear and worry, those feelings can consume us. But when we take control of our thoughts and align them with wisdom and understanding found in scripture, constantly diving deep in the word, continually repenting and growing in our relationship with Christ, we can reshape our perspective and our actions.

This insight has helped me take charge of my anxiety. It’s not a quick fix. You may find medication is needed for you, and that’s okay. Because the struggles don’t vanish overnight. However, it’s a real, grounded way to approach life.

We have the power to choose our thoughts, and in turn, those thoughts shape who we are. Understanding this has been a crucial step in my journey. But those thoughts have been shaped by diving into scripture.

Fears and Dreams

“What if people hate it?” That’s a question many of us ask every day. What if our ideas, opinions, our views, and art get rejected by others? That’s life. Because in this crazy dance of life, every significant step we take, sooner or later, is rooted in two fundamental forces.

Fear: It takes many shapes – the dread of embarrassment, the sting of rejection, the ache of loneliness, the shadow of death. These fears linger in the back of our minds, haunting our choices, shaping our paths, and often holding us back from embracing the fullness of life.

Dreams: These are the lights that guide us, the aspirations that fuel us. We dream of recognition, independence, conquering our anxieties, and becoming something more than ourselves. We long for acceptance, to be seen as unique, to matter to someone, to be cared for and loved.

Between these fears and dreams, our lives unfold. They are the compass and map, the obstacles and the goals. It’s a delicate balance, a continuous struggle, and a journey we must navigate. Our dreams drive us, yet often held back by our fears. But in understanding both, we find our way, we make choices, we take actions, and we shape our destiny.