How to Reject Fear and Embrace Your Life

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If you want to embrace your life with joy and enthusiasm and boldly live it like the gift it is! These 10 tips will help you reject fear and LIVE! #Faith #OvercomingFear #LiveLIfe #CountingMyBlessings

“When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love …” ~Marcus Aurelius

I want to LIVE until I die! 

I want to embrace today with joy and enthusiasm and boldly live it like the gift it is!

I think most of us want to live boldly, but for too many of us … there is a powerful force that gets in our way.

FEAR!

  • Fear of failure.
  • Fear of rejection.
  • Fear of judgment.
  • Fear of embarrassment.
  • Fear of loss.
  • Fear of change.
  • Fear of ____________.

How do I know? Because I spent too much of my life allowing the power of fear to keep me from living the kind of life I believed and even said I wanted.

Maybe you can relate. Maybe fear is keeping you from trying something new or telling someone you love them.

Although it’s true that frightening things happen every day, the greater truth is that most of the things you and I are afraid of … never happen. And when we focus on what if and could be instead of on the God, we deny ourselves the bold strength and courage He want to give us.

God’s Word says when you and I focus on God and on His faithful presence we have nothing to fear.

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid,” John 14:27

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6

Maybe you’ve heard the question, “What would you do today if you knew you could not fail?”

But I want to ask it another way…

What would you do today if you really believed there is nothing to fear?

Would you:

  • go back to school?
  • ask for forgiveness?
  • call an old friend?
  • start a blog?
  • profess your faith?
  • try a hobby?
  • become a foster parent or adopt a child?
  • _________________?

I believe there are some things you and I can do today that will help us reject the fear that holds us back and find the freedom to live with joy and enthusiasm the plans and purposes God has planned for us.

If you want to embrace your life with joy and enthusiasm and boldly live it like the gift it is! These 10 tips will help you reject fear and LIVE! #Faith #OvercomingFear #LiveLIfe #CountingMyBlessings

How to Reject Fear and Embrace Your Life

Identify Your Goals, Hopes, and Dreams

Make a list of the things you’ve always wanted to do but for whatever reason, you’ve shelved or given up. Write down everything and anything … no dream is too big and none too small.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12

Identify Your Fears 

Make a list of the things that frighten you. Be honest! Fear loses much of its power when you face it head-on.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

“Every battle you have to fight, is an opportunity for the glory of God to be revealed. The greater the obstacles, the greater the victory.” ~Lailah Gifty-Akita

 Ask – “Is this fear protecting me or limiting me?”

Some fear is wise … e.g. It’s wise to be afraid to jump off the roof of a building or to do something that would land you in jail!

But most fear is just limiting … e.g. Being afraid of rejection or failure or embarrassment.

Only one fear is essential to living a bold life…

Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm. Proverbs 19:23

Write a Mission Statement 

Knowing my “mission” has helped me know what I believe and what’s most important to me. God says He has plans and purposes for us … writing a mission statement can help us know them and live them intentionally.

We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. Romans 8:28

“You have a purpose in life. You know in your heart what’s most important to you. In fact, your mission and values are expressed every day, by how you live–you just may not realize it.” ~Stephen Covey

Live in the Present

Refuse to dwell on the past … you’ve asked for forgiveness and you can’t change it; so, embrace grace and embrace your life! And don’t worry about the future – God’s already there preparing the way for you.

The Lord says, “Forget what happened before, and do not think about the past. Look at the new thing I am going to do. Isaiah 43:18–19a (NCV)

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

 Surround Yourself with Wise Loving People

Talk about your hopes and dreams, and admit your fears … ask them for advice. I have been blessed by so many wise mentors who gently shared the ways God helped them reject fear and embrace life.

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10

Pray for Wisdom, Strength, and Courage

I love the fact that God invited us to take everything … every concern, fear, worry, hope, dream, and desire to Him in prayer.

There’s a quote that says, “Prayer changes things!”

I know … “Prayer changes me!”

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. James 1:5

Refuse to Quit

Don’t give up! Refuse to lose hope! God knows you. He holds you in the palm of His hand. He knows your eternal future. In God’s presence, you and I have nothing to fear!

 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Give Gratitude Generously

Thank God for every blessing … big and small! Thank people profusely!

Being thankful takes our thoughts off what’s lacking and places them squarely on what we have. God will give you and me absolutely everything we need to accomplish His will in our lives … that’s a much better place to focus!

Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17

If you want to embrace your life with joy and enthusiasm and boldly live it like the gift it is! These 10 tips will help you reject fear and LIVE! #Faith #OvercomingFear #LiveLIfe #CountingMyBlessings
 Live, Laugh, and Love! 

“Live every moment, laugh every day, love beyond words.”

Find reasons to celebrate! Big or small! Every victory you make over the fear that holding you back is a step toward embracing the life you’ve always wanted … toward the life the Lord wants for you.

I want to embrace life now.

Why? Because I’ve known people who have and those who haven’t. I’ve watched whole families start grieving the death of a loved one the day cancer was diagnosed; and others who have lived with love, hope, and joy to their last breath.

I want to LIVE until I die!

I want to live with love, hope, and joy up to my last breath.

Friend, today is a great day to embrace your life and LIVE.

Thomas Merton wrote : “If a man is to live, he must be all alive, body, soul, mind, heart, spirit.”

That sounds a lot like faith-filled living to me – loving the Lord heart, soul, mind, and strength.

And I can’t think of a better way to embrace your life! I can’t think of a better way to LIVE!

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23 Comments

  1. Dear Deb!
    I am 65. God has showered many blessings on my life. The blessings began the day I was conceived. My parents are Christians.
    Your article so touched my heart because I have lived my life in fear. I am a pastor’s daughter, a pastor’s wife and now my husband has a very important position in our denomination.
    I am 1 of 7 children; 4th daughter in 3 1/2 years. My mom told me I was afraid of everything from very early. People don’t enjoy being around me because they sense my fear and uneasiness. I have prayed and asked God to take this fear from me but He seems to say “my grace is sufficient for you.” I have a couple of years left in this ministry God has given me. I have failed miserably in so many ways. But I do not want to give up hope. Please pray for me.
    Your article was written for me. God’s timing is impeccable. I want to finish strong. And I’m confident God has other opportunities of service and ministry when I am finished here. He assured me of this when he reminds me that Sarah of the Old Testament and Elizabeth in the New Testament, both gave birth in their older years. I want The Holy Spirit to birth new ways of service in me as I look forward to the next season of my life. Yet I want to live in the present; to be used in service to help others.
    Thank you again for the article. May the Holy Spirit do in me what pleases him.
    Living in capital letters JOY!

    1. Renee, Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing yourself with me. I am praying for you … believing that God is going to give you a great mission that is full of joy as you move into the next season of life. I was with a precious group of blogging friends this weekend and we spent some time talking about fear. The truth is that for those of us who fight fear (and there are many of us) we have to continue to fight it every day. The enemy will continue to tempt us in this area of weakness because well, in all honesty, it’s easy to get us to fall back into fear. It’s familiar.

      We decided our goal is to immediately pray and give our fear to God asking Him to give us victory so that we might give Him glory. He gave the command “Do not be afraid” so many times in Scripture, I believe He will give us what we need to fight our fear battles when we ask.

      I’m praying for you today! Standing with you as a sister fear warrior! God bless you!

  2. Deb, I love that with the hope and encouragement you offer here, you also included some tangible steps to take. Thank you. ☺

  3. I love that quote from Thomas Merton, Deb! Yes, we need to be fully alive and present, loving and trusting God with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength. He can handle all our fears and worries so we can enjoy and be grateful for every day He gives us.
    Blessings!

    1. Yes, “I want to LIVE until I die!” and fear keeps me from really living. So, thankful for the hard lessons the Lord taught me to help me learn to trust Him with my “all.” Thanks, Martha!! Blessings and hugs!

  4. All of these are amazing and biblically-anchored ways to deal with our fears, but the one I need to practice the most is choosing gratitude instead of complaining or questioning, Deb. For when I choose not to be grateful, I end up being swallowed by my fears and regrets. God is always in control, no matter what it might look like to me! Thanks for this important post today, my friend! I’ll be pinning!

    1. I know, Beth! That’s definitely not my first reaction to something that’s upsetting or frightening me. Only by His grace and His Spirit’s power. I’m standing with you in prayer today asking God to help us go to Him with gratitude and trust Him without listening to the lies that frighten me. God bless you, my friend!

  5. Wow! Excellent post, Deb. Every single point is spot on. I’m so glad I was surrounded by wise and loving people (YOU) as I faced my biggest fear this weekend. I love you!

    1. Thank you, my sweet friend!! It was a wonderful weekend! I miss you all! So very thankful God put you in my life! And I’m so proud of you for giving your fear to God and for allowing Him to give you His strength to LIVE! You bless and inspire me!! Blessings and Big Hugs!!!

  6. I really enjoyed your post. I have fear of fly on a airplane, skydiving and any thing high. What I would doing today if I believe there wasn’t any fear. I would start a blog and progree faith.

    1. Hi Tara, Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to add a comment. I used to be terrified to fly and of heights. In fact, my list of fears is long and sad. By God’s grace, I am so much better. I still have this that make me anxious but I’m working to quickly give my fears to God as I ask Him to fill me with His peace, courage, and strength. I just flew to Denver this past weekend. Woo Hoo! I know things will still frighten me but with God’s help … they don’t have to stop me! I’m waiting to hear about your blog! Blessings!!

  7. Gerianne Smith says:

    All I can say is thank you for this post. Once again, God’s prefect timing.

    1. Gerianne, I’m so glad it blessed you! I really appreciate your kind encouragement. Thank you and God bless!

  8. Rachel Ellis says:

    Thank you for this inspiring post! A beautiful reminder to embrace life. I struggle with anxiety so reading this gave me a boost and really encouraged me.

    1. Oh yay, Rachel! I’m so glad it helped. I struggled for way too long. I’m praying God gives you His peace and fills you with His courage and strength. Thanks so much for stopping by and saying “hello.” Blessings!

  9. Love this! Great encouragement and challenge for me! Thank you! I do want to say, when you said Live in the Present I thought, well, sometimes the thing that helps me overcome my fears is living as if my future is already here, understanding my eternity is already a reality! Thanks for making me think! Blessings!

    1. Thank you, Liz! I love that thought … live as if my future is already here! What a lovely way to defeat my fear of tomorrow by remembering that my ultimate future is already taken care of! Blessings and hugs!!

  10. Awesome Deb! So very true! Lord let me live fully alive until You take me home!