The Manifestation
— Aggravation, anger, rage.
— Overplanning everything in life – trips, events, work projects, finances.
— Worry, dread, anxiety, panic.
The Source
A lot of the time, fear is behind those emotions and actions. The fear that:
— I won’t get what I want.
— I’ll lose something important to me.
— The outcome will always be the worst-case scenario.
There are healthy fears, like not crossing the street before looking both ways.
And many times, the fear is justified by life circumstances. After all, who wants to get sick or be abandoned by loved ones or left homeless and destitute? Nobody.
The Truth
It isn’t realistic to think that fears will never arise.
But I don’t want to dwell in fear. Experiencing that merciless emotion for any amount of time is too long.
And I don’t want to lash out and harm others because I am in fear.
Fear destroys. The longer it enslaves:
— The more destruction it wreaks emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually on me.
— And equally as devastating, the more damage I can inflict on myself and others.
The Path to Relief
When I’m acting or reacting in a way I described above, I need to determine if fear is behind it. If it is fear, the steps I can take to get relief are:
— Analyze why I’m afraid. Not the surface reason. The deeper source.
— Did I play a part in causing the situation? Or did I make it worse? If so, what did I do? Even if someone else was “worse”, what was my part?
— Are there constructive actions I can take to make the situation better? Even if they are difficult for me to take.
— What am I not able to do to make the situation better? Even if it’s hard to admit there are some things I can’t change or make better.
— Tell God about the fear and everything I’ve discovered about it. And then ask Him to show me what else I need to understand about why I’m afraid.
— Ask God to remove my fear and direct me as to what I should do about it (if anything). Then ask Him what He wants me to focus on.
— Do what God has told me to do, and trust that God will remove my fear in His time and way.
— And when (not if) that or any other fear, arises, repeat the steps to get relief.
The Positive Benefits
Because I understand my motivations and actions around fear:
— I’m grateful God forgives me for harming myself and others out of fear.
— I’m able to recognize when others may be acting out of fear, and show them kindness and mercy. I don’t excuse their inappropriate behavior, but I don’t wish the horrible enslavement of fear on anyone.
— I can determine if I can help someone who is in fear. Even if I can’t help others deal with their fears, I can pray for them.
— I can pray that the actions or reactions any of us have to fear, doesn’t harm others.
I know I can’t live a hundred percent fear-free every moment of my life. But the work to determine what’s behind negative emotions is worth the price to be free.
How do you determine and get relief from your negative emotions?
Freedom from Fear – How do you get relief from negative emotions? Share on XJoni Vance is an award-winning author of fiction, essay, and poetry. She loves mystery, history, and how God reveals Himself every day.
May God reveal the mystery of His love in your life story.
I am learning to talk out my fears and emotions with God to get relief from negative emotions. You have set the example for me. I’ve noticed that you always seek God on everything.
I loved all of your thoughts and actions for dealing with fear and plan to implement many of them. More than once, I have printed out your blogpost on other subjects dealing with life issues and gone down the list you provide to make sure I’m taking actions in the right way, because I think you have already worked things out and your counsel is wise… and…. “he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” Proverbs 12:15b. 😃
I’m grateful God gives me the words I need to hear and apply in my life as well. 🙂 And I’m glad my posts are helpful. I’m a work in progress – and thankful God lets me write for Him.
Thanks for your words, Joni. Fear is something we all face, and you have given wise steps to deal with it. I cling to 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” I praise Him for His faithfulness and goodness!
I appreciate you reading and sharing the verse, Kim. I, too, am grateful for God’s faithfulness and goodness.
Great post, Joni. Thank you for detailed ideas for paths to relief.
Thanks, Tim. I hope my post is helpful. I appreciate your support. 🙂
You are so right, Joni. We need to find the source of our fear before we can eliminate it. Standing on God’s Word is our medicene to apply to these root causes.
Thank you for reading and sharing, Barbara. Yes, God and His Word heal.