What Is Fear...Really?: Your Agreement With Fear Is Costing You More Than You Think
What is fear?
I don't mean that cute little “False Evidence Appearing Real.”
That's real cute and all…but let’s be honest.
What is fear, really?
Is it not what is hindering you right now in this very moment?
Is it not what cost you that opportunity you prayed for?
Is that not what kept you in that relationship for far too long?
Is it not what has your destiny on pause?
Is it not your crutch?
OUCH!!
That voice…
The one that has held you prisoner.
Hidden.
Playing small.
That voice that whispers it chains onto you, keeping you bound up. The voice that whispers just loud enough to tighten its grip every time you start to break free.
I am talking about fear.
Now hear me clearly, this is not to shame you.
This is to change the game for you…forever.
I am 45 and can honestly say that for at least 44 years of my life, I allowed fear to reign in different areas of my life.
Every area? No.
But enough that it became deeply ingrained in my identity.
I remember, honestly not even long ago, saying to people, “I love to hide” or “I just be hiding”. Making that declaration as if it were something to boast about.
But that’s how the enemy works.
He convinces us to align with his lies about ourselves and come into agreement with all that is meant to destroy us.
He disguises bondage as personality.
He makes dysfunction feel normal-even safe.
He clothes our lack of boldness as humility.
He wraps our fear of becoming who God created us to be, in something “cute”…
but there is nothing cute about being bound.
Let’s get this straight:
Fear is real, but it was never meant to reign.
Fear is a natural alert system.
A way to recognize danger, but not a place to live.
Many of us have made fear a residence…when it was only to supposed to be a signal.
Fear is birthed from seeds.
Seeds of inadequacy, disappointment, betrayal, trauma, failures, loss, heartbreak, and unbelief.
And just like a natural seed, it starts small.
But what it produces?
It multiplies.
Before you know it, what started as a tiny seed has grown into something that feels impossible to uproot.
Like a weed taking over a garden.
You’re probably saying to yourself, “Geez Shawn, this is anything but encouraging or healing”.
But what if I told you this:
Fear is also your exposure point.
Because anything fear controls is a place you’ve unknowingly surrendered.
And we cannot grow, heal, or walk boldly in areas we’ve handed over to fear.
So what’s the solution?
What’s the advantage over fear?
Fear itself.
Stay with me.
Fear’s biggest fear…
Is realizing it has no power without your permission.
Meditate on that for a moment.
Fear only works when you agree with it.
Fear only grows when you feed it.
Fear only controls what you surrender to it.
So the more you choose, intentionally, to not give fear power, the weaker it becomes.
And what you stop feeding…eventually dies.
But this requires two things:
1. Belief
You have to believe that God has already given you everything you need to overcome anything sent against you.
2. Alignment
Because when you come into agreement with anything contrary to what God said about you, you forfeit access to the power He placed within you.
Healing requires movement.
Forward motion.
And fear is a direct obstruction to that movement.
A roadblock.
And some roadblock?
You can’t go around them.
You can’t go under them.
You can’t avoid them.
So what do you do?
You go straight through them.
You bulldoze through with:
Prayer
Faith
Confession
Obedience
Let me put it this way:
If someone broke into your home and blocked your only exit, what would you do?
You wouldn’t sit there negotiating.
You wouldn’t shrink back.
You would fight your way through.
Because it’s them or you. And I believe you’ve decided that it’s not about to be you.
That is the mindset we need to have when it comes to fear.
It's fear…or you.
And it’s not about to be you!
If you’re struggling to believe that right now...
I am bold enough to believe that for you.
I will be bold enough to declare that:
Fear will not steal your joy
Fear will not steal your peace
Fear will not control your life
Fear will not rob you of opportunities
Fear will not interfere with your healing
Fear will not cancel God’s plans for your life
Fear is not your portion.
Your purpose is!
So now the question is…
What will you do with this truth?
Will you continue agreeing with fear?
Or will you finally confront it?
Today, I challenge you:
1. Identify one area where fear has been holding you hostage.
2. Take one step forward anyway.
Not when you feel ready.
Not when it feels comfortable.
NOW.
Because fear only wins when you do nothing.
And if this spoke to you, don’t keep it to yourself.
Share it with someone who needs to break free too.
Until we meet again, remember:
You are crowned.
You are called.
And you are still becoming.