Are You Afraid?

I lived the majority of my life being controlled by fear. Understand that I know first-hand what it's like; I know it's not easy, and I know that the idea of getting rid of it can be downright more terrifying than the fear itself! When fear has gripped you, every decision you make, every thought you think, and every step you take will be guided by that fear. Sadly, what you're NOT told about enough is that fear in your life will cause the very things you're afraid of happening to happen! It is sneaky and manipulative and letting it run you will change the direction of your life for the worst. So let me leave you with these questions...

Are you afraid of the fact you've been born? Are you afraid of learning to crawl? Are you afraid of falling when you take your first step? Are you afraid of advancing to solid foods? Are you afraid of being left alone in your crib? Are you afraid of the dark? Are you afraid of monsters under your bed? Are you afraid of moving to a big kid bed? Are you afraid of missing out on your favorite cartoon? Are you afraid one day daddy won't read to you anymore? Are you afraid mommy won't stop kissing your face when she drops you off at school? Are you afraid you'll get picked last?

Are you afraid your parents will catch you with the hidden set of revealing clothes in your school bag? Are you afraid others won't talk to you? Are you afraid others will talk to you? Are you afraid you won't make the team? Are you afraid you won't be cool if you don't smoke like the other kids? Are you afraid you won't be loved if you don't sleep with Johnny? Are you afraid to talk to your parents? Are you afraid no one understands you? Are you afraid to speak? Are you afraid no one will listen? Are you afraid of failure? Are you afraid of graduating?

Are you afraid of the unknown? Are you afraid you don't know what you want to do in life? Are you afraid you won't get to go to college? Are you afraid your parents will stop paying for your tuition? Are you afraid you won't pass your classes? Are you afraid of success? Are you afraid you'll never be good enough? Are you afraid someone will find out you slept with the teacher? Are you afraid you've missed out on being a kid?

Are you afraid of being single? Are you afraid of choosing the wrong partner? Are you afraid of getting married too quickly? Are you afraid of not having a fulfilling career? Are you afraid to buy a house? Are you afraid you don't know how you'll pay your bills? Are you afraid debt is causing friction in your home? Are you afraid you and your spouse don't have the same desires for raising children? Are you afraid to be stressed about money? Are you afraid your marriage is suffering because you work too much? Are you afraid of being vulnerable? Are you afraid your intimacy is lacking? Are you afraid of your spouse? Are you afraid of divorce?

Are you afraid no one will want you because you've been divorced? Are you afraid you won't be loved again if you don't sleep with Johnny? Are you afraid you won't be cool if you don't do the things you used to do when you were single? Are you afraid of losing your freedom? Are you afraid of loneliness? Are you afraid to get married again? Are you afraid of growing old? Are you afraid of getting sick? Are you afraid of not being able to pay your hospital bills? Are you afraid of dying? Are you afraid of what happens when you die?

Fear is an endless cycle; it starts early and will continue either until YOU STOP IT or until IT STOPS YOU!

Let me leave you with this final question: Of all the things you're afraid of...Is God bigger?