Fear

Fear is a powerful motivator but it is not a good one. I think that this is something that I've misunderstood for a while. I never realized what fears had been motivators for me until recently because I had never felt hostage to them. My fears have never been loud or unreasonable, they've been easily justifiable. Our fears, at least to us, make sense, so it's easy to pursue a course dictated by them. A scripture from the New Testament helps me understand why I need to overcome my fears. 2 Timothy 1:7: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." When I allow fear to motivate me I am giving up power, love, and the ability to think clearly.

Here's a fear I recently identified in my life and a better way I've found to frame it (I say frame because it's not likely that fear will go away - as the saying goes we do not remove our fears but rather we overcome our fears):


My fear: Not being a competent or intelligent man.

This fear says I need to work to not be incompetent or dumb (because maybe I am) - I must do X, Y and Z to appear strong or else I am helpless.

With a clear mind and love for myself, I can be empowered by saying I am already a competent man, and because I am also intelligent I will learn to be even more competent.

What fears do you have? How do you recognize them and adjust your lifestyle and inner dialogue to overcome them?