Are you judging your fear?

Posted on September 18, 2023 by Freda Smith, One of Thousands of Christian Coaches on Noomii.

Why is it that even when we know God is in control, we still find ourselves fearing? And then we judge ourselves for fearing, because we must not be trusting God well enough when we fear?
You see, as humans, we were designed to stay away from pain, for survival. We have an inbuilt physiological fight-or-flight response, so on a physical level (the flesh) we are always geared to fear and to stay away from harm, to protect ourselves.
We also know that there is a constant battle going on between the flesh and the spirit, every single day.
Galatians 5:16 -17
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”

We know God has not given us the SPIRIT of fear, but He also knows we are made in the flesh and therefore sanctifications needs to take place every day, for the rest of our lives.
So, it boils down to this: We know we should NOT fear, but we do and when we do, we judge ourselves.
This last part here is the part where we make the mistake. The self-judging…

Now ask yourself this question. Apart from Jesus dying on the cross for our sins, do you not think there was another reason Jesus came to earth to live as a human being amongst us?
Let’s look at a verse in the Bible where Jesus’ physical body was also filled with anguish, right before he got crucified:
Luke 22:42-44
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
“Aguish” means being extremely distressed about something, being in extreme pain, misery, discomfort, torture, and torment.
To sweat blood is a condition called Hematohidrosis, which is a very rare condition where you sweat blood under severe pressure or stressful conditions.
Jesus lived as a human being, to tell us:
“I get what you are going through, because I MYSELF have experienced every single emotion/feeling/pain that you are going through”.
Jesus is God in human form to show us He can relate with us. So, if Jesus gets it, who are we to judge ourselves when we experience a normal physiological response?
Now at the risk of sounding like Paul writing in Romans, this does NOT give us a green card to camp out in fear. Not at all. This does, however, allow for us to extend grace towards ourselves and understanding that we are spiritual beings still tied to flesh with this earth. We will still have hormones and illness that take over our bodies and make us do or think crazy things, but that doesn’t mean we should judge ourselves.
We know from the Bible, that God extends grace to all He loves:
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
That God understands us:
Psalm 139:2-4
“You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thoughts from afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.”
That God teaches us to be patient, because Jesus is patient:
1 Timothy 1:16
“But this is why I was shown mercy, so that Christ Jesus could show his endless patience to me first of all. So, I’m an example for those who are going to believe in Him for eternal life."
That God has already won, and He is above all fear and pain of this world:
Revelations 11:15
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet. There were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world now belongs to our Lord and to his Anointed, and he will reign forever and ever.”
2 Chronicles 20:17
”You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’”

God has already won! He also does not want us to stay in fear, because staying in fear teaches our minds that it is normal to keep ourselves in a fearful state and the mind learns by repetition.
Each time you stay in fear, it will become a norm if you stay in the fearful response for much longer. The more your “go-to” response is panic, the more your mind will react in panic with any stressful situation, big or small. Therefore, it is best to move away from the fear, shortly after you acknowledge it.

The next time you find yourself fearful:
1. First, AKNOWLEDGE that is OK to feel this way. Your body is doing what it was made to do to survive.
2. Then calm your body first before you calm your mind, by taking 4 deep breaths.
3. Pray: Jesus, I know my fear is a normal physiological response and for that I extend myself grace as You extend grace to me. I do not want to stay in this fear, as I know fear is NOT from you. Holy Spirit please fill me with your calm and gentle presence with the notion that, even though my earthly body reacts a certain way, You are ALWAYS in control. Therefore, I can allow my body to relax. Thank you, Jesus, for filling my mind and body with your gentle calm and peaceful presence. Thank you for having already won all my battles. In Your Name I pray. Amen.
4. Visualize by seeing yourself giving the problem to God and Him taking it, making it His responsibility.
5. Visualize AFTER, with future pacing: Close your eyes and imagine yourself going through with whatever is causing the fear, see yourself on the other side where the fearful event is now over. Focus on those feelings of “I made it” “I got to the other side of this” or whatever you are looking forward to, and heighten those feelings. We sometimes get stuck in the “now” so long, that we forget that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Focus on the victory!

We are all different and perhaps some of your fears are truly deep seated. Let me help you with that. God wants to have you live a life of freedom, so that you have freedom of fear. Reach out to me so He can heal you, His way.

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.