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Giving Up Is Not an Option

By Stan Popovich

Your fears and anxieties seem to have the best of you and you don’t know where to turn for help. You struggle with the same issues every day. What should you do?

There have been times when my fears have crippled me. Through these experiences, I’ve learned one important lesson: You can’t run away or hide from your fears. You have to face them. Taking drugs, drinking or trying to find some other way to forget your situation will not take away your problems and fears. In the long run, these addictions will only make things worse.

So what can you do to make your fears go away? The best solution is to tackle your fears head-on, no matter how strong they may be. The key is to be smart in how you try to manage these fears. Here are some ideas that can help.

Take it one day at a time. Instead of worrying about how you will get through the rest of the week, try to focus on today. Each day provides us with different opportunities to learn new things, including how to deal with your problems. Focus on the present and stop trying to predict what may happen next week. Next week will take care of itself.

Learn how to manage your fearful thoughts. When you encounter a negative thought, read Scriptures that will lift your spirits and make you feel better. Remember your fearful thoughts are probably exaggerated, and balance these thoughts with realistic thinking and common sense.

Take advantage of the help that is available around you. If possible, talk to a professional who can help you. She will be able to provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problems. Managing your fears and anxieties takes practice. The more you practice, the better you will become.

Don’t try to tackle everything at once. The best solution is to break your plan into a series of smaller steps. Completing these smaller tasks one at a time will make the stress more manageable and increase your chances of success.

Managing your fears and anxieties will take some hard work. Trying to avoid your problems will do nothing to alleviate them. Sooner or later, you will have to confront your fears. All you can do is trust in God, hope for the best and take things in stride. Patience, persistence, education and commitment will go a long way in conquering your fears.

STAN POPOVICH is the author of A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods—an easy-to-read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com/