911 – A Primer in Courage - Pt 3

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV). If you have just joined this series, the first two parts dealt with other suggestions for dealing with the fear. Here are a few more:  Sixth, find good role models to follow. Fear can be learned from others, and so can courage. Stay around people who are facing life normally, and just watch them. Hang out with the ones who are going about life in a fulfilling way. The more you are around these strong people, the more you will become like them.  Seventh, learn and practice appropriate relaxation techniques. Don’t give in to coping methods that will only make you worse, like substance abuse, overeating, impulsive sex, and other things like these. Fill your life with positive activities such as prayer, worship, exercise and others instead.  Eighth, remember that outward circumstance should not determine your inward happiness. When the things in life that can change and be destroyed are in tumult, we all need to be more connected to things that transcend day to day life. We need to be grounded in things that never change, like strong values, freedom, love for others, and a spiritual life. Faith overcomes fear. The more you are grounded in values, relationships, and spiritual truths that outlast life itself, you will be lifted to a higher plane and what goes on around you will be more in perspective.  Ninth, if necessary get professional help. Sometimes fear and anxiety can get to the point where it just becomes unmanageable by yourself, and interferes significantly with your ability to function. That is the time to get help. You might be experiencing fear and anxiety from other sources that this situation has brought to the surface, and that is why it is so bad. Current trauma can activate past trauma, and there is good treatment for that.  Tenth, remember some fear is normal and positive. Some anxiety is normal. When people get into trouble is when they begin to get afraid of the fear. Fear of the fear leads to panic attacks. So, if you feel anxiety, give yourself permission just to let it be there. Don't get afraid of it. It will pass, and all it can do is make you uncomfortable for a little while. The more permission you have to have some fear, the less apt you are to develop a fear of the fear. There is a great line in the Christian song, If God be for us, who can be against us… That is the truth Moses gave to Joshua as he was about to lead the nation of Israel into their Promised Land. It is a truth for us today also!