Exploring Peace with Whitney R. Simpson
  • Home
  • About
    • About Whitney >
      • Whitney's Bio
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Giving Back
  • Services
    • Spiritual Direction
    • Yoga & Meditation >
      • Waiver
    • Energy Work
    • Retreats
    • Event Request
    • Freelance Writing
  • Community
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Whitney's Books

Fear Didn't Win This Round

10/6/2022

 
Picture
This is a photo of me facing fear. I am smiling because fear didn't win this round. 

My best friend, spouse of 23+ years, and the person I trust most with my life loves his motorcycle. I have had a genuine aversion to the idea of riding with him. He has been patient and never forced me to love what he loves. But I have been working on my fear for quite a while now. And the day finally came for me to face it. And guess what? It wasn't awful. It was great. 

Note: Please don't give me a lecture on motorcycle safety. I was already overflowing with fear for not just me but also him, which tends to resurface with lectures. And whether or not I keep riding, I don't know yet. But I did it, and now I am no longer paralyzed by the fear of simply discussing it. End of note, thanks. 

In my spiritual direction practice and my friendships, I have heard more and more sharing about fear these past few years. I don't think it's coincidental that we have been living with a heightened sense of fear surrounding our health of ourselves and our loved ones. Fear has been a driving force behind many decisions for a long, long time. 

I don't think God wants us to live in fear. I am sure of that (see Isaiah 4:10, Joshua 1:9, Deuteronomy 31:6). But I do believe fear can help us grow!

How do we move from a place of fear to a place of security, even when the stakes are high? How do we shift our hearts and minds (and whole bodies!) to be present and grounded, even when we are afraid?

I was afraid. But I invited my body to stop fighting with me to face my fear. 

How do I face fears? First, I name them. I am grateful I have supported listeners through both counseling and spiritual direction. But if you don't have access to either, you can always name your fears with a trusted listener and get their wisdom with your next steps. 

For me, there was a lot of work in advance but that day I tapped into some tools. I practiced breath work the entire ride. I got grounded in my body and envisioned a shield of protective energy from God around us as we rode. It may seem silly, but visualization and guided imagery are powerful ways to connect with God and to feel seen and cared for. I love how energy work helps my body feel grounded and balanced. I asked God what I needed to hear and let that be whispered to me the entire time we rode. I heard, "you're safe, I've got you, just be here." 

Guess what? It worked. I didn't have expectations for how the ride would go, but instead, I leaned into the courage it gave me to face my fear. Want to try it?  

5 Tips for Facing Your Fears
  1. Tell Someone - a counselor, therapist, spiritual director, or trusted friend about your fear and decide how/if you want to face it.
  2. When it's time to face the fear, get grounded in your body and spirit. You may do this through prayer, energy work, visualization, or any other tool that helps you feel connected with your Creator.
  3. Breathe, breathe, breathe and be sure to exhale fully.
  4. Ask God what you need to hear, then let God whisper that to you.
  5. Let go of the outcome and embrace the strength you gain by stepping out of your comfort zone.

Fear can be a gift to us if we stop fighting it and embrace it wisely - in body and spirit. Fear can help us get out of our comfort zones and lean on something bigger than our own understanding. So, that's why I wanted to ride a motorcycle. Yep. What fear do you want to face? ​

Picture

      How about a Monthly Dose of Soul Care?

    Subscribe

    Whitney R. Simpson

    Picture
    author
    deaconess
    retreat leader
    spiritual director
    yoga & meditation teacher
    Schedule Soul Care


    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture



    Click to connect:

    Categories

    All
    Advent
    Anxiety
    Aromatherapy
    Beads
    Body
    Book
    Breath
    Centering Prayer
    Christmas
    Community
    Contemplation
    Devotional
    Discernment
    Disciplines
    Downloads
    Dreams
    Embodiment
    Energy Work
    Equality
    Essential Oils
    Everbloom
    Family
    Favorite Things
    Fear
    Food
    Giveaway
    Giving Back
    Guest Post
    Healing
    Inspiration
    Journaling
    Justice
    Kombucha
    Labyrinth
    Lectio Divina
    Lent
    Life
    Listen
    Love
    Meditation
    Mindfulness
    Ministry
    Mission
    Music
    Mystics
    Neighbors
    Older Adults
    Peace Seekers
    Podcast
    Poem
    Poetry
    Prayer
    Prayer Of Examen
    Quotes
    Relaxation
    Rest
    Retreat
    Rule Of Life
    Sabbath
    Sacred Ordinary Days
    Scipture
    Scripture
    Silence
    Simplicity
    Small Groups
    Solitude
    Soul Care
    Spiritual Direction
    Spiritual Formation
    Spiritual Friends
    Trafficking
    Upper Room
    Walking Meditation
    Wild Goose
    Women
    Yoga
    Yoga Nidra


    ​archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    March 2022
    December 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    April 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    February 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    September 2014
    August 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    November 2011
    September 2011
    July 2011
    April 2011
    January 2011
    October 2010
    August 2010
    May 2010
    March 2010
    January 2010


    Content @ 2010-2023 
    Whitney R. Simpson

    Exploring Peace Ministries, LLC

Join our Community
Schedule Soul Care
Listen to the Podcast
Read the Blog
​Contact Whitney
© 2022, Exploring Peace Ministries, LLC
Picture
Photo used under Creative Commons from lululemon athletica
  • Home
  • About
    • About Whitney >
      • Whitney's Bio
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Giving Back
  • Services
    • Spiritual Direction
    • Yoga & Meditation >
      • Waiver
    • Energy Work
    • Retreats
    • Event Request
    • Freelance Writing
  • Community
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Whitney's Books