Podcast Episode 227 - 5 Questions to Take You From Fear to Freedom - Question 1 - What is Fear?
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What is fear?
How does fear operate?
How does fear show up for you?
We’re starting a new series on overcoming fear. We’ll tackle five questions that will take you from fear to freedom.
So today is for you if…
If you experience fear or anxiety regularly.
If you’re tired of fear making choices for you and missing out on God’s best.
If you’re ready to go from fear to freedom so you can live your best life now!
My fear ruled my life. It started as a kid and grew more powerful as I moved into adulthood.
Fear of failure, disconnection, not being enough, fear of what people thought, rejection and looking stupid.
Fear went beyond fight or flight responses, and it went all the way to freeze…so intense I fainted from fear. Fainting became my escape strategy. But it was keeping me stuck. I was missing out on my life of purpose and significance.
I started studying fear and learned to overcome the fear holding me back, and I’ll share how you can too.
I’ll take you through five questions that will take you from fear to freedom so you can live your best life now.
“When you ask great questions, you get a great answer.” ––Andy Andrews
What Is Fear?
When learning anything, it’s best to start at the beginning.
Fear = a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.
Two kinds of fear:
1. Impending Danger
“The clown chasing you with a chainsaw; you need to run.”
2. Imagined Danger
“You think a clown might chase you with a chainsaw.”
Or, you’re scared that when you try that new thing, you’ll fail, and that scares you.”
You’re afraid you’re not enough.
How Does Fear Operate?
Fear thinks it isn’t the job to try and keep you safe.
Fear likes to operate using a different lens.
But these lenses are “what ifs;” they may happen and may not.
What if you step out and look incompetent?
What if you make a mistake and then be criticized?
What if you lose connection with others?
What if you lose control?
What if you fail?
What if you’re not enough?
Remember, fear’s job is to try and keep you safe, yet if fear rules you, if you dwell on all the “what ifs,” if fear makes your choices for you, you’ll NEVER experience life the way Father’s called you to.
How Does Fear Show Up For You?
Fear hits us in so many ways and different ways for different people.
Physical Symptoms
sweating
shaking
nausea
rapid heartbeat
shortness of breath
dizzy
muscle tension
Behavior Shifts
fight - become aggressive and go into attack mode
flight - run away response
faun - people pleasing to avoid conflict and establish a sense of safety
freeze - can’t make a decision
Mental Responses
negative thoughts
critical
withdrawn
dwell on threat
repress threat
Emotional Reactions
stressed
anxiety
worry
panic
anger
despair
isolated
weak
helpless
sadness
numb
Coping Mechanisms
run from a fearful situation
repress fear
Hit it head-on - turn aggressive
numb with pleasure or pain sources
substance abuse
self-harm
parties
shopping
relationships
procrastination
denial
Homework:
How does fear show up for you?
What are your physical symptoms?
How does your behavior shift?
What are your mental responses?
What are your emotional reactions?
How do you adapt, or what are your coping strategies? Are they helping or harming you?
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