On Showing Up: A Pathway to Overcoming Fear 

When I talk about overcoming fear, I’m not suggesting to try and eliminate it. We have a built in fear mechanism that is meant to keep us safe when we need it (like when we are truly in danger). But the lies that seep into our lives and heads, even from a young age, form fears in us that are really just false beliefs about ourselves, God, and the world. 

Fear can feel like a wall between you and the life you were meant to live. Whether it’s the fear of public speaking, stepping outside your comfort zone, or just taking the first step into something new, everyday fears can leave us feeling stuck, small, and unsure. 

Staying stuck in fear prevents us from living life to the fullest and meeting up with the calling that God has placed on our lives. We can all (and are meant to) do big, scary, and difficult things. 

You don’t have to eliminate fear to move forward. You just have to acknowledge that it’s there and lead from the truth of who you are, rather than from a lie.

Why We Feel Fear (and Why It’s Not Always Bad)

Fear is part of our design. It’s a natural response built to protect us from dangerous situations and potential threats. But over time, because of past experiences or even low self-esteem, that same response can show up in social situations, career decisions, or anything unfamiliar, even when we’re not in real danger.

That’s how specific fears like fear of failure or fear of change show up. Our minds associate discomfort with danger.

But not all discomfort is a threat. Sometimes, it’s an invitation.

The Real Reason Fear Feels So Loud

Fear gets louder when identity feels shaky.

When we don’t know who we are, it’s easier to believe lies.

I’ll never be enough. I’ll mess it up. What if they laugh? What if I fall apart?

But part of personal growth is learning to recognize those thoughts as old patterns, not eternal truths.

When we root ourselves in God’s promises, we begin to understand our worth and build resilience. Then, we can face difficult situations from a place of strength, not fear.

Acknowledge Your Fear

The everyday fears we face, the ones that aren’t life threatening, don’t have to hold us back. Acknowledging that there is a lie underneath the fear is a powerful step. 

The process of overcoming fears starts with identifying the false beliefs that we believe about ourselves, which gives way for God to speak truth to us about who we are.

The following is an adaptation from Jamie and Donna Winship’s work. Their company, Identity Exchange and Jamie’s book, Living Fearless are valuable resources.

Step 1: Name What You Are Afraid Of (Confession)

Start by confessing to God what is real for you. Tell Him what you are afraid of. Be totally transparent and honest. Try not to couch the confession with an acknowledgment of what you should be doing or feeling.

I know I should invite my neighbor over for dinner, but what if they say no?

An honest confession might sound instead like:

I am afraid to invite my neighbor over because I think I might get rejected. 

Even if the confession isn’t fundamentally true, it is your real experience/fear/feeling. We can’t hide anything from God, He knows what we are thinking without us telling Him, so there is no need to play nice. Just give Him the brutal honest truth. He can take it. 

Step 2: Name False Beliefs

The next step is to acknowledge false beliefs. Maybe I confessed that I am afraid of not having enough money. Perhaps the false belief might sound like:

There will never be enough for me. 

Our false beliefs hide in painful places. The ones where you think you are somehow more flawed or disadvantaged than the next person. It’s often a place of felt abandonment and loneliness.

Often these false beliefs are ‘I am’ statements, which speak to identity.

I am not enough. I am too much. I am a failure.

It might seem tough, but acknowledging the truth of what you are afraid of and what you are believing is very powerful. Once our fears are brought into the light, they often lose, at least, some of their power.

Practical Tips for Overcoming Fear

One of the most important pieces of overcoming fear is to be aware that it is there, as mentioned above. Here are some mindfulness tactics that can help us stay present in the moment so that we can build self-awareness around our fears and worries. 

1. Pray. The best way to overcome fear is by letting perfect love cast out all fear (1 John 4:18). Go to Him when you’re feeling afraid. God is with us and for us.
2. Breathe. Deep, slow breaths help calm the nervous system and signal safety. Try pairing breathing exercises with a simple prayer or verse to re-center.
3. Slow down. This practice is crucial to keep your nervous system in check. It helps us notice when something feels scary or off. 
4. Use mindfulness. Meditation helps bring awareness to your emotional responses without judgment. This can be one and the same with prayer.
5. Set achievable goals. Don’t try to leap, just take small steps. Then the next day, take another.
6. Speak truth. When fear rises up, speak against it using Scripture or a truth you believe about your identity.
7. Reach out. Sometimes we need support from friends, mentors, or mental health professionals to help us understand the root cause of fear.

You Were Made for More Than Fear

For many of us, feelings of fear are part of our everyday life. Common fears like fear of death, rejection, change, or embarrassment will keep us from living to our fullest. But we don’t have to let them. God didn’t create us to live in fear. He created us for connection and purpose offering us peace which surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7). 

You don’t have to take a giant leap. Just take the next step.

Let your daily life become a place of holy practice where you learn new skills, try new things, and face your fears head-on in small, consistent ways. That’s where healing happens. That’s where identity grows.

And that is how fear becomes your teacher, not your captor.

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