Recently, I have been faced with the task of overcoming a really big fear that I struggle with, so I know how hard it can be to face your fears.

Whether it be applying for a specific job that you have always had a dream of doing, fear of being rejected by a crush, or fear that you'll never find someone. Maybe you have a fear that you will not overcome whatever trial that you are facing or a fear that you won't be able to achieve your goals. Maybe you have a fear of death, a fear of commitment, or a fear of not being perfect. Whatever your fear is, it can be so incredibly hard to overcome, and that's what I have been learning recently.

Now, before I begin, I don't want you to confuse fear from nervousness because the two are different. Being nervous about something is normal and natural. But what I am talking about it a fear that cripples you from living the life that you have been called to live.

The enemy will use the things where you feel vulnerable and insecure and whisper doubts and fears into your ear because he never wants you to see your potential in Christ.

There will be days when you think that you no longer have to deal with it. You'll think that you have overcome your fear and that you can move forward, but something will happen, and you'll be right back in the same spot of fear that you were in.

I can be a very difficult and discouraging cycle.

Well, if you are struggling with fear, I want to equip you when some things that you can use to combat that fear.

Recognize the truth. Know that anything dealing with fear is not from God because perfect love casts out all fear. Constantly remind yourself that God is working for your good. Whether you have to put little sticky notes of encouraging scripture on your mirror to look at when you are getting ready in the morning or if you have to have a friend speak God's truth over you throughout your day, whatever you have to do, remind yourself of God's truth. Because we know that the truth will set us free.

Take your fears to the Lord. I know that praying about it can sound like such an easy and cliche answer, but it actually takes a lot of strength to completely surrender that fear to the Lord and the truth is, it isn't easy. It's going to be something that you'll have to surrender to Him daily, but with His help, it will get easier.

I want to encourage you to look in your life as you enter this week and see if there is anything that you fear that is holding you back. Talk with someone about it and take it to the Lord so that He can release you from it.