Fear and Worry, How I Let Go

Fear and worry lived in my life for almost two months.  The reasons why I was living in a spirit of fear and worry are 1.) I feared doing a certain thing and I worried about the outcome; afraid of rejection. 2.) I feared getting sick.

As a result of living in fear for almost two months, I experienced firsthand how fear and worry affects health and well-being. Today I share with you my story about how I let go of fear and worry.

The Story

Each time I received any feedback from the person responsible for that certain thing that I am working on, my heart raced and I broke out in sweats.  The racing heart and the sweating went away shortly after communicating with the person.

Sometimes, when I thought about the situation, my heart raced.  The heart racing and sweating is something that happens when we are in survival mode when faced with danger, and this reaction should only last for a very short time.

Fear and worry activates the stress response.

Stress lived in me for almost two months and it affected my overall health and well-being. In an article I wrote, “Do You Know What Stress Does to the Body?” I shared what stress does to the body, and listed some symptoms.  Here are some of the symptoms I experienced:

• worry/anxiety
• inflammation
• poor sleep (indicator of an increase of cortisol)

“Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live.” ~ Dorothy Thompson

What is Fear and Worry?

Fear and worry are not the same thing, but oftentimes, we use the words together because we assume they mean the same thing when they actually have different meanings.

Side note:  Fear causes worry.

Let’s look at the meaning of these words.

Fear is being afraid of something or someone. – Merriam-Webster

The response we have when we have fear causes the body to release stress hormones.  This is the body’s normal response to stress. If we have stress for longer than need be, it affects the body.

Worry means to think about problems or fears:  to feel or show fear and concern because you think that something bad has happened or will happen. – Merriam-Webster

Fear is a natural response to what we perceive as a real and present danger, while worry is when we think about the outcome of what could happen or not happen.  We have a choice to worry or not worry and in my case, I worried.

“I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn’t need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about.” ~ Henry Ford

How I Let Go of Fear and Worry

I talked to a close friend and I am a very private person;  I rarely tell anyone what is going on with me.  However, I broke my code and shared what I was going through with my friend. I had no idea that talking with a friend would help me snap out of what I was going through, but it did.

My friend spoke the truth with love from her heart and I received it.  After speaking with my friend, I felt the burden of fear and worry that I carried for so long; leave my mind, body, and spirit.

I was no longer fearful or worried about anything, because I know who holds my future and in whom I trust and serve.  I serve a mighty God who is in control of everything.  God used my friend to lift me out of the bondage of fear and worry. And for that, I am truly grateful.

You might like Letting Go of What No Longer Serves You.

Final Words

Fear and worry affect your mind, body, and your spirit.  Do not let fear and worry have a permanent residence in your life.  When you notice fear and worry rising up in your life; acknowledge it, deal with it, and get it out of your life as fast as you can.

Life is too short to live in constant fear and worry; get on with the business of living and enjoy life.

Blessings of peace,

Evelyn