When I was a little girl, I was terrified of the dark and struggled with the fear of the unknown. I was afraid of anything you could possibly imagine from the boogie monster to aliens. My imagination was wild. How wild you ask? I believed that trees turned into people with outstretched arms waiting to grab me and keep me locked up in their trunk for the rest of my life. Doesn’t that make perfect sense?
Growing up in the mountains of Upstate New York I thought dinosaurs were the covered mountains that would wake up at any second and start roaming the earth and eating people. When I was younger, my dad would ask me to go and get the newspaper, and I was terrified that something or someone would take me and I would never be heard of again. I begged someone to watch me run from the house to the paper box which was less than 200 feet.
The Struggle with the Fear of the Unknown
At one point my fears became so irrational I wouldn’t go outside by myself after dark because of my struggle with the fear of the unknown. I couldn’t see therefore I couldn’t trust. We lived in the country where there were no street lights, and it was dark. My brother and I used to walk to the neighborhood where most of our friends lived, and we would play until dark.
However, our walk home was always an adventure because by the time we started home it was pitch black. There was a stretch of road we called the flats, and there was nothing but darkness until we got home. My brother thought it was funny to scare me and either say there was something or someone behind me and run ahead and leave me by myself afraid and alone.
Also, It didn’t help that my momma believed in aliens and took us on alien hunts. She was convinced that as a child she saw a UFO and that UFO’s inhabited our skies on a daily basis. It was no wonder I became fearful of the unknown.
Have You Ever had a Fear Trap You?
Why did I become so fearful? I couldn’t see what was in front of me or behind me. The fear of the unknown is real. It is easy to feel afraid in the unknown because we don’t know what is going to happen or what the outcome will be. Many times, it is what we don’t know that traps us in our fears.
Finding God’s Peace in Our Fear
What I have learned is that fear is a killer of faith and trust. We all face struggles each day with sicknesses, our jobs, relationships, loneliness, self-esteem, finances, and conflict to name a few. In each of these situations, we don’t always know the outcome, but when our faith becomes stronger than our fears we trust what is unknown and learn to rest in the promise of God’s peace. The things which made us anxious no longer hold power over us, and we are no longer captive to fear because we trust who God says He is for us.
The Promise
Faith takes work. No one wakes up one day and says I have all the hope I need. I’ve learned my mind can be a safe or dangerous place depending on how I am allowing my thoughts to manifest. God places us in various situations, but I have come to learn this is how God grows us in our relationship with Him. We don't have to allow fear to rent, buy or own us because we are given a promise in Galatians 4:6-7 Share on XWe don’t have to allow fear to rent, buy or own us because we are given a promise in Galatians.
Galatians 4:6-7
And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
Jesus Paid the Price
I don’t know what fear you struggle with, but I do know that God doesn’t want you to be a captive or in bondage for something Jesus paid the price for on the cross. This year was filled with fears of the unknown for me, but God works daily in my life to help me conquer all those fears. Instead of the fear of the unknown of the dark, I now embrace the darkness by seeing what I didn’t allow myself to see such as the beauty of the star-filled sky or a shooting star!
I’m No Longer a Slave to Fear!
I know this year will bring more unknowns, but I’m no longer a slave to fear. God taught me the only person who can make myself fear is me, myself. I believe the devil has no authority when God resides in your heart. God has shown me by growing my faith that trust becomes the valuable by-product of His love. Whenever I find myself beginning to stray from God’s truth, He reminds me I am a daughter of the King. I am an heir to the throne and no longer need to be afraid of the unknown because God sees it all. The good news is you are too!
That is not only my biggest fear but also the triggers of my depression
Hi, Mimi!
I know there are many people who struggle with the fear of the unknown including myself, but this is why I am thankful for my faith that keeps me grounded in truth. Praying for you and His peace.
You can get paralyzed with fear of the unknown. But all it takes are a few favorite scriptures to keep the fear at bay. Thanks for explaining how much faith helps you with the situation.
Hi Vicky,
Yes, we can become paralyzed with the fear of the unknown, but God’s word always has the answers we need. His word builds our faith to a firm foundation we know we can stand upon in our times of need.
Being a child of God can bring so much comfort and peace in so many areas of your life.
Hi, Rachel!
I can say Amen to that sister! He is our comfort and peace!
There is so much unknown in our world today. What scares me more than that though is change… lol becaues it leads to unknown things. But this is good encouragement!
Hi, Tiffany!
I agree change is difficult to muddle through, but when we allow God to lead us instead of trying to do it on our own (which I have done and still do) my struggle is not near as difficult. Surprising, huh? Yes, we are all a work in progress the good thing is God never gives up on His children.
Hi Shiela!
Like you said, as a child I was also afraid of the unknown especially the darkness! I am an adult now but darkness still frighten me!
May be I should put more trust on the Lord.
Hi, Dia!
Oh, there are times I am still afraid too Dia, but when I call upon the Lord He is always quick to answer and bring me comfort and peace. I believe this is an area where God has chosen to grow my faith and trust in Him. Fear only has power when I allow it to overtake my mind and allow the enemy authority he doesn’t have. It is about standing on my firm foundation of faith and trust. We are in this together my friend!
Amen to that. Lovely article. I loved it.
Hi Cathy,
Thank You! I am glad you loved it!
What a great imagination you had as a child. Love ideas of mountains being dinosaurs 🦖 👍🏼👍🏼
Joy at http://www.thejoyousliving.com
Hi, Joy!
Yes, my imagination has taken me to many places. Goodness, I have seen a lot of the world through my imagination. I also used to think the trees were roots to an unknown land below. Blessings to you!
The unknown can be scary, but also invigorating!
Hi, Amanda!
I agree it can be invigorating too! It is all about our perspective for sure!
This speaks to me so much! Fear of the unknown paralyzes me, so thank you for these thoughts
Hi, Amanda!
You are welcome! I’ve been in that place where fear has paralyzed me, but God is doing a new thing in my heart and I know God will do a new thing in your heart too! God wants better!
Knowing we are not alone and Jesus is always with us is so comforting. I never looked at it like this, but I can definitely say that at times I do fear the unknown.
Hi, Ayanna!
It is a wonderful thing to know that Jesus is with each of us all the time. I am thankful for his constant reminders through His word about what fear is and what it isn’t. Blessings to you today!
Sheila, I am so glad we are not alone in this journey! I too have had my fears and when I was a kid I had the same sort of imagination as you. I used to imagine the tall, high tension, power line towers were alien invaders come to conquer our world. I often repeat the verse, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJ) – Thanks for sharing your struggles. Hugs! – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Hi, Amy!
Oh dear friend, I know if we lived closer to one another we would be discussing God’s word together! You truly are a treasure and I am so thankful for your love and insight of the Word! I love that we are not alone on this journey too! Have a Happy Thanksgiving and many blessings to you!
I don’t struggle with fear of the unknown so much as failing in the midst of the unknown. Does that make sense? 🤔
Hi, Erin!
Yes!! Your reply makes lots of sense. I have walked into a place before where something was clearly going on, but I don’t know what, which makes for a very tense situation. This is where we pray and ask God to cover us with His wisdom and protects us from the crossfire!
I definitely am a worrier and have fear of the what ifs! But I find peace in knowing that what happens happens for the best and God’s got it under control.
Hi, Amanda!
Peace is a beautiful thing and pure peace comes from the Father above. You are right there is something very comforting in knowing God has it under control and we don’t have to control a thing! Blessings!
When I was younger I was scared…now the unknown isn’t a big deal to me anymore…
Hi, Marina!
I’m glad it isn’t a big deal to you! Confidence is a wonderful thing and shows how strong you are! With age comes wisdom for sure.
You have to push through the fear of the unknown to understanding.
Hi, Leigh!
Yes! I love your insight! When we get to the root of our fear and understand why we are fearful we have won the battle! Thanks for sharing!
Sometimes you just have to go for it!
Hi, Rebecca!
You are right otherwise our fears will control us instead of the other way around! If we stay stuck in our fears many great inventions would not be invented or cures for diseases would not be found. Thanks for sharing!
Great post, I’m glad you no longer fear the unknown as much. I used to be similar, I’d hate walking outside in the dark, I’d always have this feeling that someone was behind me but I knew it was always in my head and I was just scaring myself. Thank you for sharing.
Chloe xx
http://www.chloechats.com
Hi Chloe!
It is a process for sure! I read your story and know what a brave woman you are to accomplish so much in such a few months. It is true once we can get out of our head we win the biggest battle. Your story is inspiring to many including me!
I struggle, to this day, with fear of the unknown. I know the promises of God and His peace, but I still have to fight the mental battle that bogs me down with a fear of foreboding.
Hi, Marta!
It is a struggle for many including myself. I know those promises too, and I have come a long way, but God is still teaching me in this area of my life. Sometimes, we just need the reassurance everything is going to be okay. Praying for you! Your cranberry sauce you posted last year will be at our Thanksgiving table again this year. You are an amazing chef and I love your humor. Happy Thanksgiving!
Fear of the unknown future is my biggest fear.
Hi, Cathy!
I know the unknown is a biggie for me too! Although, I know God is teaching me that trust and expanding my faith is needed in order to combat fear. I’m standing in the gap with you sister! Praying for you!!!