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FearPosted on 11/4/2008 - Faye van Meurs

Layers of Fear
Layer One: Fears that are readily apparent, or on the surface of our awareness:

Fear of those things that could "happen"-

• Aging
• Becoming disabled
• Retirement
• Being alone
• Children leaving home
• Natural disasters
• Change
• War
• Dying
• Illness
• Rape
• Accidents

Fear of those things that require decision on our part:

• Going back to school
• Changing a career
• Making friends
• Ending or beginning a relationship
• Using the telephone
• Asserting oneself
• Being interviewed
• Driving
• Public speaking

Layer Two: Deeper fears. These are about issues that reflect who we are. These can cause shutdown because they can become generalized. They are more about our inner state of mind than about externals. Every "surface" fear we have is really stemming from one of these deeper fears:

• Rejection
• Success
• Failure
• Being vulnerable
• Being conned
• Helplessness
• Disapproval
• Loss of image

Layer Three: The very root of fear is the belief that: "I CAN'T HANDLE IT."

Thus the issue of fear boils down to trust. Our earliest experiences tell us we can't trust, in ourselves or in others. They tell us we are insignificant, unimportant, and incapable. Those experiences haven't been telling us the truth. The truth is: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13