One never really overcomes the fear, simply realizes it. Then after much practice of recognizing, it no longer appears.
I think the answer is not always to conquer or "defeat" a fear because that kind of implies it goes away completely and that may not be the case. I think often overcoming fear happens when we choose to accept it - and move forward despite it.
An example, I have(had) a huge fear of public speaking. I hated the idea of it, but I signed up for a class in it. Why? to prove to myself I could do it. Once I went through the class, my fear became MUCH more manageable. I actually enjoyed the class despite being scared
I think a lot of times it's just a matter of facing a fear and deciding you aren't going to let it stop you even if it doesn't go away completely.
You overcome fear by facing it.If you don't face your fear, you will always have it. This is no way to live!
I have a fear of high places, as I believe do most people, but was able to parachute from a airplane in the military. Was I scared? I was very scared. I really didn't take in the experience until I was safely on the ground. What carried me through was the training. We practiced assuming the door position, jumping out of a mock plane, grabbing the reserve chute, counting one thousand two thousand three thousand, looking up to see if the main chute opened (if not pulling the reserve chute handle),looking strait ahead and determining which direction I'm moving, doing parachute slips in the opposite direction to slow my decent,then executing a plf (parachute landing fall) in the opposite direction as I made contact with the ground.
I don't have cash for therapy so i simply did the things I feared the most. Call it shock your self therapy. It did not really work but I got to manage my fear better. I fear heigths but I go mountainin climbing and rock climbing.
The only way to overcome fear is to face is head on. Then it's gone!
The first step is to identify the specific fear. Then ask, "Why am I afraid of this?" The root needs to be found. After careful digging, the root is exposed. Then a combination of tools are needed to root out this fear. One is to come out of agreement with the lies connected to that fear. Fear only has power because we give it power. Power comes by agreement. So, for example, I used to fear failure. I had to find out what was at the root--when I was little--I thought I would only be liked or loved if I was perfect. Love is what I wanted most--I thought this had to look like perfection--so failure or mistakes of any kind became my biggest fear. Once I understood this, I could go back into my childhood and identify why I believe this to be true. Then I had some forgiving to do--to let go and forgive those who had hurt me. Then I renounced and broke agreement with the lie that says, "Love is conditional based on your performance." I found the truth statement to combat that fear and that lie. The truth was, there were many that loved me unconditionally, whether I made mistakes or not. I had to unlearn one thought process and relearn another. But this was only part of it. There is an unseen realm and fear is like the power that feeds the enemy. Once I saw what truth was and defeated the lie and retrained my brain to think more honestly, I had to tell the fear to go--the part of the fear that was the unseen spirit realm fear. That was hard at first, because I was afraid of that too. But the moment I stopped being afraid, when I realized on was on God's side and He had already defeated the enemy--and I realized my identity in Christ--and I understood the power that I carried within me--I was not afraid. Then fear could not intimidate me anymore--not that specific fear, anyway. Fear by fear, I went through a similar process, although there is no formula so each circumstance was unique in its own way. I went from being a fearful, anxious, depressed, miserable, person, to having courage, and being peaceful, filled with joy, and optimistic about life. The things that I used to fear the most barely get my attention anymore. And when fear comes knocking on my door, I can smell it a mile away and I'm ready to defend my peace and kick fear back into the pit where it belongs. That's my experience!!!
when i fear something, i try to go out and do it. also, don't fear death. it's a huge deterrent when we truly all we know through death is that our physical body stops working. the only thing one need fear is fear itself.
My greatest fear was heights. I had to conquer this fear to complete a Graduate Diploma in Outdoor Education. The course covered such units as rock climbing and abseiling. The orientation weekend the group was taken to a highropes course and I volunteered first, so I didn't have time to chicken out. Anyway, within the first 15 metres I was a lather of sweat even though I was securely attached to a guide wire. It was at about this distance that I actually looked up and the WOW factor of being in the tree canopy was breathtaking. Not from fear but from wonderment. That was it! I continued on the ropes course that went across gullies and ended up with a flying fox ride of 70 metres back to terra firma. From that point on I've been able to shimming up rock faces, clamber over mountains and abseil down cliffs without any fear. I still have a healthy respect for the elements and I gauge the risks entailed, but don't fear the height or activity.
We cannot over come fear as it is a basic emotion instilled in us from birth; however, we can conquer our attitude towards it. We can make the excuses not to do certain things because of fear, or we can try new things to help us not be so afraid. I am not going to be on this planet forever. My life here is temporary. My concerns on this earth are not to be afraid, but to push that fear down and do what I believe is right. No matter when or how I die, the end result is still the same for me. Does that make it so I can let go of my fears? Absolutely! My eternal future is secure.
The only way I have been able to overcome fear is to FACE it. And with great trepidation.
For example, I was run into by a woman who was fumbling for her cell phone and she hit the passenger side of the car where my 16 yr old grandson was sitting. He had a concussion as a result and was transported to the hospital. It happened in a location that I traveled to often. Every time I would go there I would avoid the spot. After probably 25 times of avoding it, I went to the spot and survived going through it...but I am in no hurry to repeat it.
I guess that means I have not totally overcome it.
Another fear I have is of high bridges. I will go miles out of the way to avoid them. Who knows why...but ...that is one I have not conquered yer.
My greatest fear was speaking in public. As a young person I had a severe speech impairment. For example, I could not pronounce the L, R and W sounds correctly, thus that can lead to problems with a name like Larry Wall.
I was fortunate to get some good therapy in college. I majored in Journalism which required talking to people and later went into public relations.
Two things help me to overcome the fear.
A high school English teacher noticed I could read aloud better than just talking. We were reading Julius Caesar in class and I went from being the Soothsayer with one line to being Brutis. We changed parts each day so I also got to deliver the famous Mark Anthony Speech.
The second thing was joining Toastmasters where I had to give speeches in front of people I did not really know. It was a big help. I still have trouble talking one-on-one sometimes, but can do really well with an audience.
by Harish Mamgain 8 years ago
How can we overcome fear of death once and for all ?Every person is in the grip of this finality but a very few know the answer of this great riddle,so this is a poser to the whole humanity.
by Moon Willow Lake 12 years ago
What do you think is the most effective way to overcome fear?I know what methods have worked for me, but am interested in learning what has worked for you.
by Ceres Schwarz 10 years ago
How do we get the courage to overcome our fears, stop being afraid and just do what we have to do?What exactly are we afraid of? Why do we hesitate in doing something? What's stopping us? It’s so easy to say and think that we’ll do this and that there’s nothing to be afraid of, so just do it...
by mrpooper 11 years ago
Which is more powerful, Hope or Fear?
by Tracy K. 11 years ago
How did you overcome a fear in your life?
by Joanna Chandler 10 years ago
Were you ever fearful , or afraid of the dark etc? and how did you overcome?I use to be scared as hell about eleven years ago I would be so afraid to stay home alone. Go to the washroom by myself etc. I wished so hard that there was only day time, because every little thing spooked the hell out of...
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