So what if I stole the title from Kirk Franklin’s Grammy award winning album? It works just fine for what I have to say. Besides, I’ve always had a ‘thing’ for ‘Uncle’ Kirk; he seems to have a unique insight in to songs that light a special path into my soul. I’ve bought every album he’s ever done, so I think I have earned the right to use his title!
Hello fear, for many years you’ve been an old friend, an unwanted visitor who just keeps coming back. Just when I thought I had outgrown you from my childhood years, you simply changed your outfit and waltzed right back into my life! I have tried my best to avoid confronting you, not because I’m afraid of you but because I feel it’s safer if we simply keep our distance.
Just like a guardian angel, you have faithfully hovered over me though every exam, every positive relationship I have tried to initiate and every dream I have tried to convert into goals. You went with me for my first interview, whispering words in my ear that were louder than what my sister ‘WISDOM’ was trying to say. You have walked me home every night, standing faithfully a step behind me in dark alleys, making me clutch my bag tighter and keep looking over my shoulder for you. Even now, I still look over my shoulder for you when I’m alone; it has gotten so bad that I feel your presence even when the lights are on.
As usual, you’ve come into my room and you’re no longer satisfied that you’ve been a major part of my life, you now want to get into my head. Before you get any further, take a seat let’s talk. I’m tired of listening to you, tired of looking out for you. I’m tired of using you as the yardstick for every major decision I make.
I love you Oprah but I disagree with your quote that: “Doubt means don’t…” for I have lived on both – all ends of the coin, I have refused to do something because I was afraid, and been saved from a major mistake; and I have also refused to do something based on fear and regretted it in the end.
I have done something, even though I was afraid and succeeded and I have done something despite fears warnings and failed. So, fear, that tells me that you have no power to determine success or failure, only wisdom in form of reason, proper planning and preparation can.
I have new friends now: wisdom, faith, and love. They are waiting at the door to take your place, so I need you to get your things and move out. I know that you’ve been attached to me for so long but I’m breaking up with you. Don’t bother coming back; I’ve instructed faith and knowledge to guard the door to keep you out permanently.
I’m pleased to tell you that your services are no longer needed, this relationship is over between us. Don’t forget to take depression, worry, and low self-esteem with you on your way out! Toodles!
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Fear like every other thing evil is a friend of darkness and has no power to withstand light. The light of knowledge, the light of faith, and the light of love will set you free from its entangling grip. We all have things we are afraid of, things that haunt us when we are alone or faced with life’s challenges. The only way to face fear is to confront it, and this we must do, time and again, for fear has many faces and we must confront and conquer it in its every disguise.