Fear: Do we trust Him or not?

I was thinking: Fear is not an emotion.

And that idea rings true.

But it's also false.

Fear is an emotion.

Fight, flight, freeze, rumination, worry, and so on are common symptoms.

And yet, since we operate in wholeness, in wellness, and in sonship with a good Father, if it persists, it begs the question:

Do we trust Him or not?

"There is a difference between the feeling of fear and the spirit of fear.

The feeling of fear is our system alerting us to danger. It's feeling scared due to a threat or perceived threat.

The spirit of fear is not a feeling but an influential force that motivates us to act out of a feeling of fear."

In our home, emotions are allowed — all of them.

It's okay to feel.

But fear?

Fear gets shut down fast.

Because the spirit of fear grows when you entertain it.

It takes root.

It takes control.

It takes over.

Kids feel fear naturally.

That's normal.

What they're really looking for is their parent's confidence —

proof that what's in front of them is survivable.

Faceable.

Smaller than it feels.

Not worthy of their fears.

As Christians, we're commissioned not to fear.

"Be strong and courageous" isn't a suggestion — it's a command.

The spirit of fear is unbelief.

Once, fear had a purpose.

Wild animals.

Real danger.

Survival.

Now we fear silly things.

Imagined outcomes.

Future scenarios.

Things we cannot control.

And it keeps us up at night.

Mind spinning.

Thought controlling.

Problem solving.

Trying to outthink fear instead of refusing it.

That's why fear is incessant — it's impossible to satisfy.

The only way to not fear…

is to not fear.

Full stop.

Fear cannot dwell unattended.

If it stays, it grows.

We will feel fear.

And then we have a choice.

Face it in confidence.

Squash it.

Attack it.

End it.

Or identify with it.

Agree with it.

Let it speak.

Those are the only two options.

Feel fear and let it go.

Or feel fear, agree with it, and allow the spirit of fear to move in.

Trust the Lord and fear not — immediately.

Or partner with fear.

Yes, sometimes we'll act confident before we feel it.

That's okay.

Confidence is built through repetition.

Courage practiced becomes courage possessed.

And the Lord is after confident children —

lights in the dark.

But that's only possible

if we are not afraid of darkness.

And if the Lord isn't afraid, neither should we be.

And a child says:

"If my dad isn't afraid, then neither will I be."

Fear begets fear.

Light swallows dark.

Be the light.

And as you rise in confidence of Him, not only will your fears melt away, but so will the fears of those around you.

"We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."