I wish that was the question. However, as I look at my life objectively, I realize that the real question is “what do I fear today?”
In my younger years, my real fear was what people thought. In a weird way, this fear didn’t ‘rule’ my life – I still did whatever God asked me to, but the panic attacks I suffered after events were horrific.
Now, as I find myself relaxing, and people’s opinions not mattering so much, I have discovered a new fear – mistakes.
Yes, I fear making mistakes – not that it keeps me from making them, and so far it isn’t making me be more cautious, but when I make a mistake, the panic returns.
What do you fear? Does it rule your life, or accompany your actions? How do you overcome it?
2 Responses
I firmly believe that our fears become self-fulfilling prophesies. I feared failure – so I failed. I feared my husband leaving me – so he left. My most recent (and current fear) is not being able to provide for my children and myself. Joy Bevere said, “When we face the thing we fear, we become fearless.” Maybe the secret is not in crushing our fears but in learning the lesson that fear taught us in the past. Jesus said, “Fear not, I am always with you.” And Paul said, “Whatever things are good, and holy, and positive things to report, these are the things to think about.” (my paraphrase) When I realized that “the things I feared most came upon me” I also realized that I needed to change my thoughts. Feeling fear isn’t the problem, dwelling on the fear is, and that is what immobilizes us (me) or causes us to have panic attacks (you).
My greatest fear is losing control. As I get older, that fear is still in the back of my mind. I have a weak bladder so I go to the bathroom often to avoid the physical loss of control. The emotional loss of control keeps me from forming close relationships. And, of course, I watched my mother lose mental control due to many ischemic episodes. I realize losing control of ones body is part of aging, but it still doesn’t make it any easier not to fear.