Fear is a Thief

from The Bridge by Xavier Cornejo

‬fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10

Fear is the greatest thief that resides in our minds. “Fear doesn’t stop death, it stops life,” said Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, a pioneer in near-death studies. If you allow it, fear will steal your dreams and your future, and will make you doubt you can ever achieve everything that you desire. It will lead you to think that what others may say is far more important than where you aim. 

However, God created you to dream. He created you to imagine. He has the best future in mind for you. Most of all, don’t worry about what others say because they are not part of your story, and they will be amazed to see you reach the glory. 

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6‭-‬7‬

I am certain the best weapon a person can carry is courage: the courage to pursue the life they desire and to realize the dreams they imagine. Fear of failure, of missing the mark, the shame of what others could say, can take hold of our minds. I’ve found that what the heart wants scares the mind.

Fear can lead us to failure before we even step out, but courage can lead us to victory if we step in. We just need to advance. May our courage to step out toward a new future be greater than the voices that tie us to the same past! 

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭56:3‬

I think that what we call a comfort zone is nothing more than the limits of our courage. Therefore, if we never dare cross the frontiers of the things we fear, how will we ever cross the bridge to the other side where our happiness resides? With the virtue of strategy we can draw the path toward victory. While strategy does not bury fear, it does multiply courage. 

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‭‭That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

‭‭So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

‬So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:25-34