5 Ways Fear Sabotages Emotional Health

Tom Milner

One of the things I love about Pastoral Care is coming across resources and information that I can share that can help us navigate the trials that we encounter. I get a weekly newsletter from  Drs. Les and Leslie Parrot, who are trained professional counselors.  I found this article useful because I myself have had fears that I’ve had to overcome. (Parrot, Drs. Les and Lisa.  “5 WAYS FEAR SABOTAGES EMOTIONAL HEALTH.” SYMBIS Assessment | Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott. April 29, 2020, https://www.symbis.com/blog/5-ways-fear-sabotages-emotional-health/)

How many times have you wanted to try something new, eat something that you have never eaten before, change careers, move to a new city, ask someone out on a date but you didn’t because of fear.

Fear has a way of sabotaging our dreams, our goals, our passions, robbing us of our joy, our happiness, our relationships.

Fear can sabotage us in many ways.

Here are 5 ways fear can sabotage us and our emotional health and how we can overcome it.

1 - FEAR LURES YOU INTO YOU COMFORT ZONE.

Being fearful lures us into our comfort zone, then traps us there. Fear convinces us to play it safe and trade our passions for security. The truth is, our passions are only found when we leave our comfort zone and take a leap of faith. We can’t fulfill our dreams by playing it safe-no matter how intense our fears are. Achieving our goals means we have to take decisive action, even if it’s uncomfortable. Example: Moses and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea to escape Pharaoh and his army. (Exodus 15)

2 - FEAR TEACHES LEARNED HELPLESSNESS.

When we’re locked into our comfort zone, learned helplessness is almost inevitable. We begin to believe that our goals are out of reach and that we’re better off if we don’t try to pursue them at all. 

Learned helplessness is a defeatist attitude disguised as realism. We might be able to fool ourselves into thinking the fear is the truth for a little while, but that won’t last forever. The only way to break out it is to empower ourselves by facing our fears. I am very grateful for a close friend who encouraged me years ago to step back into ministry after being out of it for several years because of fear.

3 - FEAR CRIPPLES AUTHENTICITY.

Fear cripple’s authenticity. When we are not our authentic selves, we are not truly healthy emotionally and it affects those around us that we care about. Being honest about the things we’re afraid of, however can help us live with authenticity. It also gives those that we care for a chance to support us in our endeavors or dreams and goals. Be yourself and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable.

4 - FEAR SABOTAGES DREAMS.

Fear causes us to put our dreams on the backburner. It deceives us into believing that sometime in the future, we won’t be so afraid to start pursuing our dreams. One day, we’ll be” ready”—not right now. Right?

The thing is, putting off our goals until tomorrow results in repeated procrastination. If we let fear in the driver’s seat we’ll kick the proverbial can down the road indefinitely.

5 - FEAR KILLS PASSION.

Fear kills our passion for the things we love. In order to cultivate passion, we must first commit to our goals. The problem is, fear kills commitment, which in turn kills passion.

We like to say that passion is an inside job. It helps us face our fears and persist in spite of them. Ultimately, the only way to put fear to rest is to cultivate that passion, which then ignites action. When we commit to action “boots on the ground” then we can truly achieve our dreams. And when we can pursue and achieve our dreams, that’s a huge step toward becoming whole, emotionally individuals.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP.

In order to become emotionally healthy, we must face and overcome our fears. Overcoming fear involves taking calculated rsks, so your first step is to evaluate your goals and what it’s going to take to achieve them.

The first step is the most difficult to take, but none of us can afford to wait for our “lucky break”—we only have one life. Move forward with boldness—not carelessness or impulsivity—to build you momentum, day by day. 

Let me encourage you to take that first step by also applying God’s word to help you conquer those fears. Here are some scriptures that will help.

Isaiah 41: 10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41: 13 “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

 Psalm 34:4 “I sought the LORD and he answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”

John 14:27 “Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and no not be afraid.”