Fear: False Evidence Appearing Real

Letting Go, Leaning Into God, and Learning to Live Again

Fear has a way of creeping into the corners of our lives—quietly, subtly, and consistently. It whispers to us when no one is around. It exaggerates outcomes that haven’t happened. It paints pictures of failure, rejection, loss, and disappointment as if they’re guaranteed realities. But most of the time, fear is nothing more than false evidence appearing real.

And if we’re honest, fear doesn’t just sit in our minds… it settles into our bodies. Our shoulders tighten. Our breathing gets shallow. Our thoughts race. Our steps slow. We hesitate instead of move. We shrink instead of rise.

But that was never God’s intention for us.

Fear Was Never Meant to Lead Us

Scripture reminds us:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” —2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

Fear is not a gift from God. It’s an interruption from the enemy—an illusion meant to distract, stall, and suffocate what God placed inside of us. Life has a way of keeping us afraid:
• Afraid to start.
• Afraid to speak.
• Afraid to leave.
• Afraid to grow.
• Afraid to dream again.

But fear only rules where we allow it to.
It sits on the throne only if we hand it the crown.

Every time we surrender our decisions to fear, we make an agreement with something God never authored. Fear wants to be the ruler of your life, but it has no real authority—only the power you give it.

Fear in the Body: The Massage Connection

As a massage therapist, I see fear show up physically every day.

Fear tightens jaws.
Fear knots shoulders.
Fear forms tension bands across the back.
Fear sits heavy in the hips and chest like a weight too familiar to notice anymore.

So many people come to the massage table carrying things they’ve been afraid to let go of:
old memories,
old beliefs,
old wounds,
old insecurities.

But something beautiful happens when the body relaxes—God reminds the heart of what’s true.

In stillness, He speaks.
In quiet, He heals.
In release, He restores.

Sometimes the massage table becomes the place where fear finally loosens its grip, because the body is reminded that it’s safe again. Safe to breathe. Safe to rest. Safe to be held by the One who made it.

Your healing is not just physical—it's spiritual.
Your release is not just muscular—it's emotional.
Your peace is not just a moment—it's an awakening.

Fear Appears Real… but God Is Realer

Everything fear shows you is designed to intimidate what God placed inside of you. But Scripture tells us:

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid?” —Psalm 27:1 (NLT)

Why should you be afraid of what God already stands in front of?
Why fear what God has already conquered?
Why bow to something that bows to Him?

You are not a prisoner to fear.
You are a child of God.
And children walk in the authority of their Father.

Walking Forward, Even When Fear Follows

Fear may not disappear overnight. It may still knock. It may still whisper. It may still try to revisit.

But fear doesn’t get to drive.

You can feel fear and still move.
You can be unsure and still trust.
You can be nervous and still step forward.
You can walk trembling and still arrive in victory.

Courage is not the absence of fear—
it’s the refusal to let fear win.

Fear Has No Place Here

Not in your mind.
Not in your spirit.
Not in your home.
Not in your relationships.
Not in your calling.
Not in your body.

Your life is God-breathed.
Your purpose is God-planned.
Your path is God-designed.

Fear didn’t create you.
So fear doesn’t get to control you.

The Truth That Sets You Free

Here’s what’s real:
• You are capable.
• You are chosen.
• You are covered.
• You are equipped.
• You are God’s.

You can conquer every mountain, every setback, every lie, and every fear because God’s power lives inside you. And when God is present, fear is powerless.

Breathe deep.
Release what isn’t yours.
Walk boldly.
Step forward.
And live as if fear is already defeated—because in Christ, it is.