The Truth About Fear

Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors Thursday: The Truth About Fear

I can remember being a little girl who would often succumb to fear. If I would see another school kid in public I would often hide behind my mother and refuse to speak. Once when asked to recite a speaking part in a Kindergarten program, during the practice I would spend several minutes crying excessively refusing to recite my part which I knew very well. I began to grow out of it as I had gotten older and more comfortable with my peers and teachers in school. However, transition always proved to be difficult for me. When going to high school and later to college I began to turn inward, introverted, reserved, and shy. It was safer to self-preserve from threat and discomfort. I respond now by being a risk taker. When I feel fear arising I try to do the opposite, and be bold and not allow time to past because it can make it even more difficult to progress.

What is fear?

Fear is defined by Webster as to feel afraid or apprehension; it is an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by or the anticipation or awareness of danger; implies anxiety and loss of courage.

Synonyms include:

• Dread
• Fright
• Alarm
• Terror
• Trepidation
• Anxiety
• Panic 

Anxiety is a painful apprehension, uneasiness of mind over an impending or anticipated ill. It is also defined as fearful concern or interest, and abnormal or overwhelming sense of apprehension or fear often marked by physiological signs (sweating, tension, and increased impulse).

Panic is defined as the sudden overpowering fright, unreasonable terror, of relating to or resembling the mental or emotional state induced by the god Pan. What?

A note about Pan: Pan has been described as a pagan god in Greek mythology and was believed to be responsible for sudden, inexplicable fear or panic. But, we are not called to idolatry. We are called to have holy fear, respect, and reverence to the One True God (Exodus 20:3-5 KJV). DO NOT BOW TO FEAR!!! Healthy fear is that of reverence and respect, awe to the true and living God, not associated with self-preservation due to an impending, irrational, and overpowering threat.

Hebrew words for fear:

• `Arats: to tremble, dread, fear, oppress, prevail, break, be terrified, cause to tremble.
• Yare': to fear, revere, be afraid.

Greek words for fear:

• Deilia: timidity, fearfulness, cowardice.
• Phobos:  fear, dread, terror; that which strikes terror

Mask of Fear

The Spirit of Fear may attempt to mask itself in terms like reserved, introversion, and shy. Introversion is the state or tendency toward being completely concerned with and interested in one’s own mental life; turned inward or upon self, a reserved or shy person. Shy means to shrink away from contact with others, to be timid (easily frightened or fearful), hidden (reserved), and hesitant (bashful).

In the psychological and psychiatry sphere of mental health there is a host of Anxiety Disorders in which I will discuss in-depth later in the month. But, they include:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Panic Disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder)

How are we called to respond to fear?

1. Read what God told Joshua.

Be strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:5-9 AMP

2. This is Paul’s words to Timothy.

That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination].For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:5,6 AMP

3. John wrote the following in an epistle.

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 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 4:16-18 NIV

Fear should not be ignored or minimized. It can have paralyzing effects that prevents us from experiencing the fullness of our callings in God. It can cause us to hold back and withdraw, because of our intent to protect ourselves which is our self-image and pride. This is often because of the fear of making a mistake, shame that may result, and the fear of the inability to cope with it. BE STRONG AND VERY COURAGEOUS!!!

You Deserve it All by Christ for the Nations

Wonderful Worship Wednesday
I love the opening lines of this song. It indicates the beautiful creative power of God. Enjoy!!!

You decorate the skies with shades unknown

Your eyes are light at the dawn when I arise

Creation leads a symphony in song

And in awe I whisper my love because

You deserve it all

You deserve it all

You deserve it all

You deserve it all

Christ For The Nations is an international, interdenominational organization which exists to train and equip men and women with the Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit and with a lifestyle of worship, to reach the nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To learn more about Christ for the Nations please visit them at www.cfni.org. 

Pure Religion: Caring for the Fatherless

Teachable Moment Tuesday


Although, I'm rather young, I really care about marginalized youth. Those who are abandoned, abused, overlooked, and neglected. Many children experience the absence of a parent from their physical environment, but I find it can also occur with emotional and intellectual abandonment. According to June Hunt, author of Counseling Through Your Bible Handbook, indicates that we all need love, significance, and security.


For some reason my heart began to burn as I thought about children, adolescents, and young adults that I've encountered who were abandoned and/or neglected by their parents and/or guardians. The reasons vary, death, addictions, or being deemed an unfit parent. However, some individuals abuse their power as adults, and physically, sexually, and/or emotionally abuse children and adolescents. Either way their souls are fragmented, and their development is stifled and thwarted. Often times it leads to depression and anger, suicide and homicide, and other self-destructive behavior. It's because they feel unloved, unwanted, and many times unworthy to live.


I ask that those of us who have the opportunity to impact the younger generation to be considerate of them, and show them the GENUINE and PURE love, significance, and security they were designed to experience. God is truly concerned about the fatherless (parent-less). 

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James 1:27 KJV

Impacting Your Work Environment this Christmas Season

Ministry@Work Monday: Impacting Your Work Environment this Christmas Season

I'm always thinking of different ways to minister and impact my colleagues at work. Since my student worker days while in undergrad, I've always had an opportunity to either offer sound counsel, prayer, and encouragement. My goal has always been to glorify God. So, I began thinking how can I make an impact this Christmas Season. Thus, I'll be sharing some ideas I've gathered that you may be able to use as well.

1. Give away Christmas music that glorifies Christ, and not just holiday music.

You'll find me at any point singing "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire" or "The weather outside is frightful, but the season is so delightful." However, these songs fail to glorify the birth of the Savior that this holiday indicates that it was designed to do. Some suggested music includes Kari Jobe's Bethlehem, Chris Tomlin's Glory to the Highest, or Israel and New Breed's A Timeless Christmas. 

2. Twelves Days of Christmas

While working for an employer one year, apart of our gift exchange each day we secretly gave very small inexpensive gifts to our gift exchange recipient. Perhaps, you can give small inexpensive gifts with scriptural notes that glorifies the character of Jesus Christ.

3. Calendars/Pocket Planners

This could be the gift that keeps on giving. Whether it is a daily dose of biblical encouragement, a psalm or proverbs of wisdom, this would be a practical item in which seeds would be sown to win an individual to Christ, and or encourage one who may have a personal relationship with Christ.

4. Personalized Letter, Card, and Framed Poetry 

Be creative and be led by the Holy Spirit. Write a personalized prophetic letter to an individual. Pray and ask God what he would like to say to the individual. Listen to hear, look to see, and sense to feel. Print is on nice stationary, handwrite it in a nice card or frame it as artwork. Here's an example: 

5. Bible Study.

This season we will certainly see many nativity scenes of Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus. But, Jesus was not a baby forever. Jesus at the age of twelve was found in the temple talking with teachers (Luke 2:40-52 KJV), Jesus did a sermon on a mountain (Matthew 5:1-7:29). Jesus was also a healer, deliver, and is the Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6). Use this as a opportunity for discipleship. Take someone to lunch, study and teach the word, and use this as an opportunity to widen their view of the little baby Jesus to a Lord and Savior full of majesty and power. 

These are just a few ideas on how to impact your work environment this Christmas Season. Remember we've been commissioned.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:19, 20 KJV

I Need You (Prophetic Worship) by Joann Rosario-Condrey

Worshipper. Minister. Songwriter. Joann Rosario-Condrey can be heard releasing prophetic worship during the live recording at the Harmony Conference in Indianapolis, IN. Enjoy!!!

Joann Rosario-Condrey is the wife of Corey "CoCo Brother" Condrey. She has recored three albums. Joann's more popular songs include More, More, More, I Hear You Say, and God. She was formerly a background singer in Radical for Christ with Fred Hammond. Joann has also been known for singing at Maranatha World Revival Ministries in Chicago, the church pastored by her father Nahum Rosario.