Don't be afraid, because I am with you. Don't be intimidated; I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will support you with my victorious right hand. -- Isaiah 41:10

Courage is fear that has said its prayers. -- Karle Wilson Baker

The intellectual side of us says that what we are doing is wrong, and our eating behavior is abnormal. But when faced with the thought of change, facing the unknown, then we find we're scared to death.

What are we afraid of? Change, gaining weight, relapsing, not being perfect, disapproval, not being good enough, therapy (being put on medication, getting yelled at, being handed a strict new regime to follow) being judged, restoring broken relationships, failing the 12-step program, a whole new lifestyle, and the list goes on. Some are not even sure they would know how to live if they were healed? Can't imagine that? They fear 'change'. There is a false 'comfortableness' in their pain. They've lived and survived this long with their ED, so why be healed?

One big component of the pain we feel is fear. A fear that this disorder may not ever go away, and will be a permanent condition, an incurable disease, an overwhelming and unmoving cloud cover. You may think "This time it's got me and it will never let go". You need to know that in the midst of the pain and fear that you can acknowledge it and give it to God. It isn't a life sentence! Jesus is the savior of imperfect people like us so that we can be led to grace.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. -- 1 John 4:18

The guilt and shame we feel about our past behaviors may inhibit our ability to conduct a thorough inventory. God's love for us will remove our fear.

Does this sound like you?

"It was like I was fighting in a constant battle with myself. I knew I was killing myself slowly with my eating disorder and I wanted so badly to change. However, at the same time I was so afraid of letting go of the eating disorder and facing reality! I had built the belief in my mind that I would hate myself even more if I were to get fatter and I always told myself that I would far rather be dead than gain weight. So with that you can understand that it was not really letting go of the eating disorder that I was afraid of, [it] was the wonder of how I would feel about myself without it which scared me. The more I considered this, the more I convinced myself that this might cause an even bigger negative reaction in me which would cause the whole thing to start over again!"

The Bible lists many failures and fears of spiritual leaders to show the grace and strength of God, not people. The Lord is my light and my salvation. Who is there to fear? The Lord is my life's fortress. Who is there to be afraid of? -- Psalm 27:1

I think the most powerful verse is: "But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard." -- Isaiah 52

In other words, God has you covered - what is there to fear?

Change is sometimes is a necessary improvement -- Despite the fact that many of us live turbulent, chaotic lives, we may find in sobriety from food that we don't like change. This causes us to seek our security in familiar places, rather than reach out for the unknown that lies ahead, This may not be real security, however, because familiar places and situations also change. Our resistance to change may simply be the fear of trying something new. If we find that fear of change is causing us to put up with a situation that's become unsatisfactory, we need to adjust our attitude toward it. While we view change as risky, it may be the necessary route for improvement. Let's start by simply accepting the idea that change is sometimes necessary. After that, we can expect God to guide us to the new situations that are right for us. Today I may find myself fearing change. I'll remind myself that nothing ever stays the same, and that only change can bring the true good I'm always seeking.

Beverly LaHaye: "When I was a young minister's wife and new mother, I suffered from a serious case of low-esteem and low self-image. I was fearful and anxious. When asked to speak I would often hide behind my husband's cloak and say that he was the speaker and I was the "helpmate". In my heart I admired those who were poised in public, and often I longed to be able to do that myself. But the more I thought about it, the greater my fear. This anxiety affected other areas of my life as well. I knew that sooner or later I would have to face this fear head-on.

God used Dr. Henry Brandt, a Christian psychologist, to minister his truth to me. He used 2 Timothy 1:7 as his text; and that day, for the first time, I began to realize that my fears and anxieties were self-imposed. God's choice for me was to have power, love and self-discipline. God did not give me a spirit of fear! My poor self-image, my anxieties, my fears were all my own doing and my sin because I lacked faith to receive the power, love and self-discipline that God really want me to have.

As God began to help me with my fearfulness, my own self-image began to improve. Over a period of weeks, and then months, it became obvious that God was changing me."

Beverly LaHaye is saying: God's grace can transform one whose personality is dominated by unreasoning fear into a whole man, motivated by God's power and love! "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline" -- 2 Timothy 1:7.

You are not alone: read about this women's fear as she battled anorexia

Quote by Max Lucado (In the Eye of the Storm) ~

Biographies of bold disciples begin with chapters of honest terror. Fear of Failure. Fear of loneliness. Fear of a wasted life. Fear of failing to know God. Faith begins when you see God on the mountain and you are in the valley and you know that you're too weak to make the climb. Faith that begins with fear will end up nearer the Father.

Fear is an underlying cause of many forms of spiritual disease. It is the first response we feel when we aren't in control of a situation. A wide range of mental and physical ills are frequently the direct result of this unwholesome emotion. Fear often prevents us from seeing options to effectively resolve the issues causing the fear. Learning to acknowledge fear in a healthy way is an important part of our recovery process.

I trust God. I am not afraid. What can mortals do to me? -- Psalm 56:11. He will put his angels in charge of you to protect you in all your ways. -- Psalm 91:11

Fear is a negative emotion, and it may be real or imaginary, but we must be aware of our fear to get through it. The Bible often tells us to place our trust in God because He will protect us. It is an important choice to make. However, if we are not aware of our fear, we cannot make this choice to trust God, and so we stay further away. If we are not afraid and we are not trusting in God, the only other option is to trust in our own ability to win in every situation, or trust in another 'man'. Fear gets us in touch with our need for others and God. Pray, and ask God to make you aware of things (fears) you may be ignoring. David prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" -- Ps. 139:23-24

Managing Your Fears and Anxieties With God's Help

Dealing with fear and anxiety can be very difficult. As a result, using the help of God can be very effective in managing your fears. With this in mind, here are some suggestions on how a person can use the help of God in his or her own struggles.

The first step a person should do is to start talking and praying to God. A person can go to church or to a quiet place during the day to tell God that they are having a problem. They should tell God how they feel and ask God for some of his help. A person could also review the Bible and read
some articles on trusting in God and then apply these concepts in their life. Each and every day, a person should make it up a habit to talk to God and ask for his help.

When using the help of God to manage your fears, a person needs to be aware of how God is working in their life. Most of the time God works in mysterious ways and the answers he provides might not be that obvious. A person must be aware of God being in their life even when they are
dealing with their fears and anxieties.

A person must also be sensitive to the answers God gives them. Some people think that the answers that God provides must be religious in nature. That is not always the case. God may provide the answers in a way that might not be religious in nature. These answers could involve basic psychology and cognitive techniques that deals with how to manage fear and anxiety. The point to remember is that although a person may use these psychology methods, its important to use God/Jesus as the center of everything in your life and in your struggle.

Finally, the most important thing is to continue praying and talking to God. Talk to God as if you were talking to a friend. Read the Bible and pray hard. Be persistent and be open in the avenues that God may provide to you in solving your problem. It is not always easy, however God is in control and he will help you if you ask him.

BIOGRAPHY:Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods" - an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com/ For free articles on managing fear please go to: http://www.managingfear.com/

Gain Authority Over Evil