Discussion: “Paralyzed by Fear & Freed by Faith”
Written by: Jacqueline B. Miller “Lady J”
March 17, 2023
It is amazing how many people live their lives paralyzed by fear. There is no simple solution to this problem. I’m pretty sure most of us have this in common. Fear is no respecter of man nor woman.
We find that fear is one of the primary motivators in life, controlling over fifty percent of our day-to-day lives. Daily thoughts like, I’m scared of failing, scared of saying the wrong thing, and scared of not being good enough or insignificant. Believe it or not some have the fear of being overqualified. As a Pastor/ Life Coach I hear comments all the time. Comments like “All my life, I’ve struggled with fear”. “I’m a chronic worrier “and “I’m afraid I can’t”. “It won’t work or “this, that or the other will happen if I do”.afraid I can’t”. “It won’t work or “this, that or the other will happen if I do”.
Transparency moment: I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m scared of getting cancer, running out of money, and dying alone. Then again who hasn’t had this kind of thought?
Then there are those childhood fears. It’s natural as a child to have fears that can keep us from doing things. Like sleeping in a dark, because our imagination will begin to manifest images. Ones we have seen during the day into the scary monsters hiding in the closet or under the bed. Growing up, I used to be so scared of going to the basement by myself. We had one of those old loud furnaces that made this awful clunk and whistling sound. I’d open the door get down the first step and my legs would freeze and it seemed like my feet were in a block of cement. I can still recall a beaten for refusing to go get my flip-flop that my brother threw down there. He knew I was scared of going down into the basement. The fear of what was down there paralyzed me based on the sounds I could hear.
However, as I grew up, I learned how to better manage my fear.
"Paralyzed by fear" -You hear that expression, but what does it mean?
We all at some point have felt overpowered by feelings of stress, worry, and anxiety. These feelings can interfere with life? In some cases, fear can stop us in our tracks, affecting our jobs, relationships, and even hindering our goals.
Have you ever been so terrified you don’t know what to do next? You're just frozen?
Imagine yourself like a deer standing in the middle of a road staring into the glaring headlights of an oncoming vehicle, paralyzed by fear, not knowing which direction to run. I can’t even imagine what might be running through Bambi’s mind at that moment.
Are you a “Bambi” in those really intense situations? If so, it’s natural to hesitate, but it’s dangerous to be paralyzed by fear in that life or death moment. In crisis situations, how do you typically respond? Do you become hysterical, incapacitated, paralyzed and immobilized by fear?
Do you swing in to action put on your tactical gear? In your mind, you search for the quickest and least dangerous way out and try to escape, or DO YOU PRAY?
PARALYZED fear can cause you to be so afraid to make a critical decision because of POSSIBLE or PROBABLE's. Causing serious consequences if you allow it to gain a foothold over you.
So how do we overcome or at least bring our fears under submission?
Here are a few tried-and-true ways to break free from fear and gain or regain your faith in God as well as yourself.
1. You must realize that you need help and that you cannot navigate or manage it alone. Recognize that God is all powerful, that He has promised never to leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). So don’t be so afraid that you don’t go to Him in prayer, after fasting to seek His will in making the right decision. Then confidently you can make your decision, with the courage and conviction that God is on your side.
2. Put your faith in the one who has carried you throughout your life. I love the “Footprints in the Sand Poem”. It’s a true reminder of that when we are at our weakest God is still carrying us.
3. Face your fears. If you do not address your fears, they can accumulate with time and the more time that’s allowed to go by the more paralyzed you will become.
4. Acknowledge your fears, acknowledging our lack of courage is having courage in itself. We must not allow fear to paralyze us into taking no action at all.
5. Find a way to release fears talk about them. Sharing your fears takes away a lot of their scariness and power. If you find it hard to talk to a family member or friend, then seek professional help. Hotlines like the Anxiety Hotline - 866-903-3787 | Free 24/7 Support Helpline is always available and private.
6. Go back to basics. Many people will turn to alcohol, drugs or even over eating to self-treat anxiety, but trust me this will only make matters worse. Try keeping it simple, go back to everyday things like getting a good night's sleep, a good home cooked meal and a walk/exercise are often great cures for anxiety.
7. Flip the anxiety switch off. I know that it’s easier said than done. However, try to imagine the worst thing that can happen. Perhaps it's panicking and having a heart attack. Now try to think yourself into having a heart attack. It's just not possible. Your fear will run away the more you chase it.
As you make your choice to not be “PARALYZED BY FEAR BUT TO BE FREED BY FAITH” remember God’s promises:
(Isaiah 41:10) “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.”
Then HE says in….
(Isaiah 43:1- 2) “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; and the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Life is full of many examples of being “Paralyzed by Fear & Freed by Faith”
Fear could have held back the likes of - HARRIET TUBMAN, known as the “Moses of her people.” ROSA PARKS, The Mother of a Movement. MADAM C. J. WALKER “the first Black woman millionaire in America” (our example of an Entrepreneur). AMANDA GORMAN-a young poet and activist with a lisp. MAYA ANGELO imagine if she stayed paralyzed by fear. This civil rights activist, poet and award-winning author known for her acclaimed 1969 memoir, 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Which was the first nonfiction Best seller by an African American woman. She paved the way for Authors like Chiara Noble & myself.
We are grateful for the strength these women had to overcome and broke free from their fear. Prisons to be freed by their faith so we as women would have the opportunities that we have today.
“Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith empowers; fear disheartens, faith encourages; fear sickens, faith heals; fear makes useless, faith makes serviceable” quotes - Harry Emerson Fosdick
“Fear is faith that it won't work.”- Mary Kay Ash
Thank you for joining me for Friday at Sundown. Remember… Just Breathe!
“Fear is Not My Future” Maverick City Music/Kirk Franklin- YouTube
(Disclaimer: We do not own the rights to the music in this video)
About the Writer:
Jacqueline B. Miller “Lady J“ is a creative; energetic multi-facet Woman of God. As an ordained Minister of the Gospel, a Marriage Coach, Life Coach, Writer, Published Author and Virtual talk show host and personality you will find that she has a servant’s heart. Her life’s loves are found within her being a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Though life has been traumatic at times she has endured and has learned to “Wait” on the Lord, who is her strength and to praise God in the midst of the storms.
CONTACT: Jacqueline B. ~Jackie “Lady J” Miller
On the web: http://Vlfminstrys.org/
Facebook: @ victorytalk or https://www.facebook.com/jackie.y.miller
Twitter: @JackieLadyJ1 Instagram: JackieLadyJ1/ Jackie Miller Email: jmblessedevents@vlfministrys.org
Lady J
...."Don't allow your past to rob you of your future" …I can do all thigs through Christ who strengthens me…Philippians 4:13