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The Only Way to Defeat Fear


     Fear of someone or something is the most powerful motivator

     besides love.

     I believe this with all my heart, based on observation, readings, and experience.

     Fear makes us hide in the corner of a room at an overcrowded party. It limits us to our habits and makes us the sum of our activities. Living afraid, we grit our teeth and silent scream in loneliness.

     Drowning in responsibilities and wondering why we did this to ourselves, we wonder if anyone will notice. Will anyone notice our trembling hands, our whispers in the dark?

     And fear makes your heart beat 120 beats per minute.

     But do you know what else makes your heart beat that fast? Love. "Perfect love casts out fear." (1 John 4:18)

~

     If I say, "Don't think about a giraffe wearing a top hat," what do you think of?

     A giraffe.

     You can't get rid of fear by yelling at yourself to stop thinking a certain way. You must replace those fears and negative thoughts with something else.

     "Think about an elephant."

     Okay, now we're getting somewhere. And you're going to focus on that elephant, that love, that truth which counteracts the fear. You're going to focus on it until everything else becomes blurry.

     I've used this technique a lot in the past semesters. Focusing on truth instead of the lies swirling in my head has helped me to be more confident. Focusing on love when fear threatens to choke me has helped me show grace to others.

     This technique is difficult, but it can be practiced until all it takes is a slight adjustment of the knob to tune you in to a different radio station.

     So tell me. What truth are you focusing on today? Hit reply if you're reading in email, or comment below.

~Madeline

*Note: If you are dealing with severe anxiety, please see a medical professional.

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