The Truth About Fear

Six years ago, I walked away from my stifling corporate job as an Administrative Recruiter to honor my deep desire. Knowing that it was time to live God’s purpose full-time. I began putting together a Professional Speaking Coaching business that would one day become a world-class speaking and training institute. About three years into building my business, it was time to make the transition into speaking, my true gift, as my major income stream. In preparation for this I was doing market research on other speakers and professional coaches.

As I read website after website, it became evident that they were all saying the same things. We were using the same words to describe our work and the outcomes we delivered. I took a deep breath and realized I had gone as far as I could without having the clarity and walking in the knowing of what made me unique as a speaker and coach. I asked God, “God, what makes me different than the others you have called to similar work?”

The next voice I heard was not my own. This voice came from within my spirit and said, “I have put all of the answers within my children and they are not being obedient. Your job is to help them be obedient to my call. If they will heed my call, the world will be transformed.” I then saw images of famine, starving children, homelessness, poverty, and inner city crime flash through my mind. Then the voice of God continued by saying, “I have put the answers to all of the world’s problems in my children, if only they will be obedient. Your job is to help my children be obedient.” From that day on, my fear disappeared and I deeply and profoundly understood my specific calling and purpose in this world. I have been fearlessly heeding God’s call to be a catalyst to guide God’s children in full obedience with His call on their lives ever since.

About a year later, I was planning the lesson for the Teen Sunday School class I had taught for years at First AME Church in Seattle, Washington. I was preparing a lesson on fear, and as I was reading the Word about fear I noticed it was used in several different contexts. I needed a deeper understanding to be able to teach my students. I then asked The Lord, “I have read your Word and I am not clear about fear. Please reveal to me the truth about fear.” In just moments, my reply came and said, “Fear is the lack of surrender or submission to God.”

Wow! What!? I applied that definition and re-read the passages in the Word about fear and it fit! That was it! Fear is the lack of surrender or submission to God. I have been teaching it ever since and it has fit for everyone I have shared it with. Did you get it? This is the truth about fear. It is so important that you understand this; it is the cornerstone of this course. Here it is again…

Fear is the lack of surrender or submission to God.

There are institutes, classes, workshops, and books solely dedicated to the topic of fear. Once you understand the truth about fear, you can get on with the business of bringing forth the incredible vision that God has planted in you.

To move forward, you must also understand what fear is not - it is not False Evidence Appearing Real. This is the definition of fear I have seen over and over again and it is not fully accurate. I felt like I would scream if I saw this definition in another book or heard another speaker refer to it.

You must understand the spiritual nature of fear and use spiritual tools, or tools from God, to guide your way through fear. Fear is not something just in your mind. Fear is not just doubt or your negative thoughts. Fear is a spiritual issue and simply cannot be reckoned with in your mind, your will, or your ego.

You may have been taught that fear is your enemy and you can fight it. You may have believed until now that you can affirm or attempt to overcome your fear with positive self-talk and cute affirmations posted on your bathroom mirror. You cannot ever affirm your way out of fear. Affirmations will help for a minute, but your fear will come up again shortly and take hold of you.

Perhaps you have been trying to push or move forward in spite of your fear. Fear is the way you can monitor the spiritual doors through which darkness enters your thoughts, habits, and life. Fear illuminates the areas of your life in which you do not believe God will provide for you. The opposite of fear is faith. Fear and faith cannot co-exist. You have to choose one or the other. Once you believe God for that particular thing you feared before, it no longer has a stronghold on you and the spirit of fear will find somewhere else to reside. Removing fear from your life is the doorway to your will and God’s will for your life and business becoming one.

Ericka D. Jackson provides individuals, organizations, and churches with the tools to achieve God’s vision for their lives. Visit http://www.erickajackson.com for insights, techniques and resources to fulfill your calling.

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