Behind the fear

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7

Fear is a powerful emotion. Left unchecked, it can consume us—clouding our judgment, robbing us of joy, and impacting our well-being. While some fear is healthy and protective—like checking both ways before crossing the street or baby-proofing your home to keep a toddler safe—that’s not the kind of fear I want to talk about today.

I’m talking about the kind of fear that takes over. The kind that keeps you up at night, tightens your chest, and slowly chips away at your peace.

Fear shows up in many forms. As I’ve gotten older, I can see how it masked itself in ways I didn’t understand at the time. When I was younger, I thought my dad was just angry when he’d curse during scary or stressful moments. Now, I realize—he wasn’t mad. He was afraid. Afraid of something bad happening to the people he loved. I get that now.

Fear can look like:

• Anger — lashing out when what you really feel is out of control.
• Seclusion — pulling away because you’re afraid of being judged or misunderstood.
• Jealousy — rooted in the fear of losing someone you love.
• Procrastination — waiting because you fear failure, or that you’re not good enough.
• Control — micromanaging every detail because trusting others (or God) feels too risky.
• Perfectionism — trying to get it “just right” to avoid criticism or rejection.
• Silence — the most dangerous kind of fear, the one that keeps you from speaking truth, from asking for help, from healing.

Some people live in silence because they were threatened, or because trauma taught them to hide. But fear thrives in darkness. Healing begins when we bring it into the light.

Standing in faith doesn’t mean you’ll never feel fear. It means choosing not to be ruled by it. It means trusting that God’s love is greater, and His power is enough to carry you through.

So here’s a challenge—for me and for you:
Write down the fears you’re carrying. Give them to God.
Ask for help when you need it. Find someone to walk with you, pray with you, or simply listen. If you feel like no one is there, reach out—I will listen.

Take the next brave step:

• Try the exercise class.
• Go to the meet-and-greet.
• Visit that new church.
• Start the thing you’ve been putting off.
• Make a meal plan.
• Set small, realistic goals for your health or well-being.

And if it doesn’t go as planned? That’s not failure—it’s feedback. Re-evaluate. Adjust. Try again.

You weren’t made to live in fear.
You were made to walk in faith.