Exposure therapy is a therapeutic intervention whereby a person is exposed to a source of fear to enable them to overcome the anxiety or distress it produces. The intent is that over the course of time the person becomes less sensitive and reacts differently to what caused fear in the past.
I’ve come to realize God exposes us to our fears to build our faith and trust in Him. This is evident throughout the Bible. Fearing for his life, Moses fled from Egypt after slaying an Egyptian (Exodus 2:11-15). Eventually, God instructed Moses to return to Egypt. Unbeknownst to Moses His God-given assignment was in the very place from which he fled (Exodus 3:10). It was not God’s will for Moses, or for you, to remain ensnared by the confines of fear.
I’m always amazed at the sense of relief and empowerment I experience once I’ve tackled a fearful situation. It boosts your trust in God and prepares you to face greater challenges that will arise. Fear must be overcome. You’ll never discover how strong you are, or what you’re capable of accomplishing unless fear is overcome. Each day when you awake is an opportunity to overcome what you fear. You can’t overcome what you don’t confront. I admit exposure to your source of fear can test the very fabric of your being. But if God hadn’t exposed me to my fears, I would have remained a reluctant Christian debilitated by fear of what I was created to overcome.
The enemy uses fear to make you abandon opportunities God sends your way. Being a Christian doesn’t mean you don’t get scared. Instead, it means you’re equipped to overcome every fear. The Bible is replete with the command to “fear not.” Why? Because God knows there will be times when you’re afraid. II Timothy 1:7 says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” It’s the power and love of God that gives you a sound mind to think your way through daunting circumstances. A sound mind thinks in the midst of fear and compels you to keep pressing forward. Isaiah 26:3 is God’s promise to keep you in perfect peace when you fix your mind on Him.
Fear is the fuel that perpetuates the tendency to shy away from opportunity. There’s no vaccine to make you immune from fear. God uses exposure to extinguish the flames of fear that obstruct your purpose and destiny. The blood of Jesus Christ empowers you to overcome what has been trying to overcome you. Your job is to shift your focus from the shadow to the Great Shepherd. Only Jesus can navigate you safely through the valley of your fears.
Imagine if you had no fear and money was not an object? What would you be doing right now? What would you be able to accomplish? That may be the very thing God has empowered you to achieve.
Until next time…Be Blessed!
Rev. Cynthia Jackson
Rhema Inspirations
Rev. Cynthia Jackson is the administrator of the Rhema4U Blog and Innovations Ministries Director. Rev. Jackson is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was licensed and ordained under the tutelage of Bishop David G. Evans. She is an associate minister at Bethany Baptist Church located in Lindenwold, New Jersey. Rev. Jackson founded Innovations Ministries in 2001. Innovations Ministries provides dynamic and innovative programs and services for individuals and families dealing with various health-related issues. She is a gifted teacher, preacher, conference speaker and writer. God has anointed Rev. Jackson to be a spiritual midwife with a passion to empower others to birth God's vision for their lives. Rev. Jackson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Management from Eastern University, a Master of Science Degree in Health Administration from Saint Joseph's University and a Master of Science Degree in Christian Counseling from Cairn University.
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