You may have heard the saying from the cartoon Pogo, “We have met the enemy, and he is us.”

When it comes to retraining your brain, your great enemy will likely involve how you experience, entertain and address fear.

Today, I want to share some tools you can use to release any and all fear that's not serving you... but first, here's why this matters. 

What Happens When Fear Lives in Our Brains..

Fear, at first shows up like an undetectable intruder. It can feel like just being a bit "overwhelmed." Like you've lost control, or you're getting bothered or panicky. Let it stay and fear can even expand to the point of feeling impending doom.

In our heads, the fear can make you feel foggy, indecisive or even shut down. In the physical sense, this is exactly what happens.

• Your amygdala (the area of the brain that harnesses reason and judgement) senses fear and quits. You can't think straight.
• Your cerebral cortex becomes impaired. You feel stuck like a deer in the headlights. You can't make decisions.
• Your endocrine glands rapidly secrete hormones like adrenaline and cortisol and are carried through the bloodstream to every part of our bodies. You feel stress all over.

That's fear in the short term. 

Over time, fear that festers can weaken the immune system, cause cardio-vascular damage, create irritable bowel syndrome (definitely not fun!) and in women, even decrease fertility.  Mental health can decline.

All to say, it's not a good idea to allow fear to fester.

The Good News: Hope to Challenge Fear

The Bible shares a clear retrain your brain command over and over again. 

• “Do not be afraid.” “
• "Fear not.”
• Be anxious for nothing.”

In fact, the Bible share this  “DO NOT FEAR” message 365 times. 

It''s been pointed out that there's one "do not fear" for each day of the year!

In other words, don't fear! You actually have a choice. You need not fear whatever comes your way today... You actually do possess what it takes ruthlessly challenge fear.

"Ruthlessly" means taking no pity on fear. Don't allow any space to let fear rent space inside of you. Fear not. 

Also, consider learning to detect and challenge fear by asking these three questions whenever you feel "anxious," "concerned" or even "slightly nervous."

1. What am I afraid of? 

Scan for tightness in your jaw. "Butterflies" in the pit of stomach?" Consider what's making you feel this way.

What are you afraid of?

2. Is it true?

Are you believing something or fearful about something that is real or  tangible? 

Examples: 

• Will they really laugh at me if I speak?
• Am I really going to go broke?
• Am I really going to be a failure if this doesn't work out?

3. Is it always true?

Even if it is or feels true today, "is that always the case?" "Will it always be that way?"

Remember what Mark Twain has said, “I have had a lot of worries in my life, most of which have never happened.”

Ruthlessly challenge any and all fear today... and see what happens! 

The life you get to live may be your own!

Have a great day!

Jeff