Fear is just a liar running out of breath
Fear is something we all face. It takes on different forms and presents itself in many ways in our lives. Just when I think I've overcome one fear another one presents itself. There's many fears and doubts I've overcome but there are many that rise up as life situations happen that I didn't even know were issues. Can anyone relate?
One fear I’ve faced for a long time is perfectionism. I didn't realize that perfectionism was a form of fear. I allowed it to rule in my life for way too long and always thought it was a strength until I came to know Christ. I realized I had to daily surrender my life in order to have the full life God provides and that God's strength is made perfect in my weakness. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 it says, "But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." and it also says in Matthew 16:25, "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." When I realized those truths then I realized God is perfect and his grace covers our imperfections. When I try to be perfect, I take control over my life and when I take control I knock God out of the driver's seat. It's something I constantly have to work on because the minute God gives me a clue of what He wants me to do, I try to take the full reigns and go full steam ahead. While my intentions are good in wanting to please God, I realize the lie that fear tries to tell me that I have to be perfect to please God when in fact the verses above shed truth and light on the lie that fear tells me.
I love the lyric in the song “Not Today” by Hillsong United that says, “Fear must have thought I was faithless when it came for my heart…Fear is just a liar running out of breath.” It’s a great reminder that fear itself is a liar and has no power in our lives. It’s also a great reminder to have faith in God when we face fear because he is the only one who can help us to overcome. I highly encourage you to listen to the lyrics of the full song below. I recently saw the new Wonder Woman movie and there is a scene that has become the most iconic of the movie deemed “No Man’s Land.” In this scene you see Wonder Woman facing fear. You see her down in the trenches of the war- timid, frustrated and pondering what to do then suddenly you see her triumphantly rise out of the trenches and face fear head on. This is what I imagine we do spiritually when we allow God to help us conquer the fears we face. He is our shield and sword. We can either choose to stay down in the trenches or rise up to overcome the fears we face with God on our side.
Something I’ve learned in facing these fears head on is that fears have roots. I’ve realized for me that perfectionism is a fear that comes out of a root of rejection. The beautiful thing is when we begin to recognize those fears and roots we can begin to find freedom and healing from those things that have been ruling in our lives for so long. I prayed and asked God to remove those roots so that I could move forward in the calling he has for me and help others find freedom from those same things. Part of the process is constant, full surrender. Every time I think I've surrendered I realize that I take part of it back and try to fix it myself. It's a constant self-check to see if I'm fully surrendering to Him. So today, whatever fears you may be facing, I hope this gives you hope to persevere with God on your side. I hope you will have the courage to pray through the fears your facing and allow God to heal your wounds.
Father God, thank you for your perfect love that casts out fear. I pray today that you would help me to overcome any fears that I may be facing and that you would remove any roots that cause those fears. I pray you would give me the strength to overcome and the faith to persevere. I fully surrender my life and everything to you daily. In Jesus name, Amen.