Face-to-Face

Daily writing prompt

What fears have you overcome and how?

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For a minute, I sat reflecting on some of the dreaded things I’ve dealt with over the years. Some I’ve leapt over, others I’ve had to barrel my way through and a few have drop-kicked me for sure. For the most part however, I’ve just learned how to confront my fears head on. Face-to-face – me and that thing! Last time I checked, I came out on the other side wiser and stronger for having faced those perceived monsters.

In different seasons, fears have worn many faces. One that stood out to me was injected in my spirit in my twenties. My aunt had gotten a mastectomy after dealing with breast cancer for a while. I went to visit her and she asked if I wanted to see what it looked like. I still wonder today if that was a wise choice. I’d never seen a double mastectomy before and she had not had reconstructive surgery. I can’t explain the emotion that swept through my mind and body that day. I wasn’t prepared for what I saw. It really did a number on me mentally. I think that was day the fear of breast cancer was planted in me like a seed. She eventually passed away but that seed had taken root and was slowly germinating without me being aware.

Years later, a lump was detected in my breast also. The thing ‘I feared most had come upon me’. Over the years I’ve had my fair share of mammograms, ultrasounds and even a biopsy. I’m thankful that nothing has shown to be of major concern. I keep doing what I can do to stay healthy, but I’ve refused to allow that seed of fear to thrive in my space. If we allow it, fear can cripple, destabilize, and smother us to the point where we are afraid of our own shadow. We begin to see life through cloudy lens. Our perception can become very distorted by the fears we permit to rule our thought life. I decided that fear would not be the end of my story nor would it dictate how I lived my life.

Scriptures suggests us that ‘fear involves torment’ and bondage. The Psalmist records in chapter 34: 4 – “I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” I found relief not by running away . I confronted them with the help of the Lord. Today I breathe- I exhale. This I know that even in the ‘valley of the shadow of death’, I am never alone.

Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] John 14:27 AMP