31 Days of Letting Go- Day One

Welcome to “31 Days of Letting Go!” I am so happy that you are here! Once again, I am taking on the challenge of writing about a specific topic every day for the month of October. I hope you will join me each day as I share some of the lessons that I have learned about “Letting Go.”

Day One: Letting Go of Fear

Fear (noun): a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.  Concern or anxiety. Something that causes feelings of dread or apprehension. (verb):  to feel apprehensive or uneasy; be afraid. 

Fear is a common emotion. We have all experienced it at one time or another. After all, the world we live in is full of many dangers.  But, like any emotion, fear can take over and become a stronghold in our lives. It certainly was for me. Even as a young child, I remember being fearful most of the time. There have been many times that I have allowed my life to be ruled by fear.

So, how do we go about dealing with fear in our lives? Here are some things to remember:

Fear is the opposite of faith.

If we want to live faith-filled lives and accomplish the purposes that God has placed in our hearts, then we are going to have to let go of fear. Fear doesn’t come from God. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” He did not create us to walk around in constant fear. Rather, He wants us to trust in Him and experience His peace. 

Fear is often at the root of stress.

In her book Who Switched Off My Brain, Dr. Caroline Leaf states that fear “triggers more than 1,400 known physical and chemical responses.  This activates more than 30 different hormones and neurotransmitters combined, throwing the body into a frantic state.” When fear causes a negative stress reaction, our bodies are flooded with toxicity and we are in an unhealthy, unbalanced state. Letting go of fear leads us to a healthier way of life.

The most effective way to change a negative thought is to replace it with a positive thought.

Fear always brings a negative report, telling you that you’re not enough, you don’t have what it takes, and you will never be able to do it. Instead of dwelling on that negative report, replace it with a positive statement, such as “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”(Phil. 4:13) Tell yourself “I can do this!” “I am brave and courageous!”

Finally, fear never completely goes away.

It is a part of being alive. Experiencing fear doesn’t mean that you are a coward. It means that you are a human. In fact, a healthy fear- a reverential awe, if you will- can keep us from making potentially harmful mistakes. Letting go of fear doesn’t mean you’ll never feel afraid again. In fact, you might be shaking the entire time you are moving forward. Joyce Meyer refers to this as “doing it afraid.” It is more about saying yes and following through than being afraid. Letting go of fear is a process that can truly set us free and bring us into a deeper relationship with God.

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” 

Psalm 118:6