Podcast Episode 227 - 5 Questions to Take You From Fear to Freedom - Question 1 - What is Fear?

Listen

Podcast Episode 227 - 5 Questions to Take You From Fear to Freedom - Question 1 - What is Fear?

Read

What is fear?

How does fear operate?

How does fear show up for you?

We’re starting a new series on overcoming fear. We’ll tackle five questions that will take you from fear to freedom.

So today is for you if…

  • If you experience fear or anxiety regularly.

  • If you’re tired of fear making choices for you and missing out on God’s best.

  • If you’re ready to go from fear to freedom so you can live your best life now!

My fear ruled my life. It started as a kid and grew more powerful as I moved into adulthood.

Fear of failure, disconnection, not being enough, fear of what people thought, rejection and looking stupid.

Fear went beyond fight or flight responses, and it went all the way to freeze…so intense I fainted from fear. Fainting became my escape strategy. But it was keeping me stuck. I was missing out on my life of purpose and significance. 

I started studying fear and learned to overcome the fear holding me back, and I’ll share how you can too.

I’ll take you through five questions that will take you from fear to freedom so you can live your best life now. 

“When you ask great questions, you get a great answer.” ––Andy Andrews

What Is Fear?

When learning anything, it’s best to start at the beginning. 

Fear = a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.

Two kinds of fear:

1. Impending Danger

“The clown chasing you with a chainsaw; you need to run.”

2. Imagined Danger

“You think a clown might chase you with a chainsaw.”

Or, you’re scared that when you try that new thing, you’ll fail, and that scares you.”

You’re afraid you’re not enough.

How Does Fear Operate?

Fear thinks it isn’t the job to try and keep you safe. 

Fear likes to operate using a different lens. 

But these lenses are “what ifs;” they may happen and may not.

  • What if you step out and look incompetent?

  • What if you make a mistake and then be criticized?

  • What if you lose connection with others?

  • What if you lose control?

  • What if you fail?

  • What if you’re not enough?

Remember, fear’s job is to try and keep you safe, yet if fear rules you, if you dwell on all the “what ifs,” if fear makes your choices for you, you’ll NEVER experience life the way Father’s called you to

How Does Fear Show Up For You?

Fear hits us in so many ways and different ways for different people.

Physical Symptoms

  • sweating

  • shaking

  • nausea

  • rapid heartbeat

  • shortness of breath

  • dizzy

  • muscle tension


Behavior Shifts

  • fight - become aggressive and go into attack mode

  • flight - run away response

  • faun - people pleasing to avoid conflict and establish a sense of safety

  • freeze - can’t make a decision

Mental Responses

  • negative thoughts

  • critical

  • withdrawn

  • dwell on threat

  • repress threat

Emotional Reactions

  • stressed

  • anxiety

  • worry

  • panic

  • anger

  • despair

  • isolated

  • weak

  • helpless

  • sadness

  • numb

Coping Mechanisms

  • run from a fearful situation

  • repress fear

  • Hit it head-on - turn aggressive 

  • numb with pleasure or pain sources

    • substance abuse

    • self-harm

    • parties

    • shopping

    • relationships

  • procrastination

  • denial

Homework:

How does fear show up for you?

  • What are your physical symptoms?

  • How does your behavior shift?

  • What are your mental responses?

  • What are your emotional reactions?

  • How do you adapt, or what are your coping strategies? Are they helping or harming you?

If you’re enjoying this podcast, please do me a favor and click the subscribe button and share it with a friend who may need it.

You’ve got this, and Father’s got you!

Thanks a bunch for listening!

Until Next Time, Live Fearlessly Free!!