How To Face and Overcome Fear?

Psalm 23:4 (KJV)  
⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

There was a show that came on T.V. some time ago called “The Fear Factor.”  The show was very interesting to me because it made people face their fears.  Success or failure on the show was predicated by the contestant’s ability to face and handle their fears.  As I watched the show it indicated to me how powerful and paralyzing fear can be in life. 

Have you ever been gripped by fear to the point where you were paralyzed?  Has fear ever robbed you of experiencing success?  How do you handle your fears when you have to face them?  Do you avoid what you fear?  Do you clam up and shut down to the point where you are withdrawn?   Often times we find ourselves operating by fear.  Fear is a tool that the devil uses to make us under achieve and remain idle. What is it you fear the most?  How long are you going to allow fear to hold you captive?  Fear is like a dark envelop that hold us captive.  We can never experience the promises of tomorrow if we are held captive by the fears of yesterday.

          The psalmist David writes to tell us we can face and overcome our fears.  This verse paints a picture for us of life.  It gives the imagery of a shepherd leading sheep through a dark valley.  It illustrates to us that we will all have to go through valley experiences.  There are many experiences in life we will have to face but we do not have to be afraid if God is leading us.  Many times as shepherds lead sheep through valleys there would be cougars, mountain lions, and other harmful animals standing at the top of the cliff watching and waiting for an opportunity to pounce on them.  The position of the sheep in the valley made the animals look bigger than they really were when the sun shined on them.  Fear always makes things look bigger than they really are.  Fear makes things look impossible, unachievable, unbearable, and impassable. 

What are you facing right now that appears as a giant?  I want to encourage you to face it.  The psalmist reassures us we have a shepherd that helps us as we face our fears in life.  Understand that you are not alone and God is with you every step of the way as you face your fear.  The way to overcome fear is to have confidence in God and know whatever you have to face in life he has the ability to get you through it. 

God bless and keep you is my prayers.