Did you read the first part of this story, ‘Do the things you fear and the death of fear is certain – part 1?’   If no, please do so, to enable you enjoy this second part.

Fear #3

After some years of working in the banking industry in Nigeria, I began to lose interest in numeracy and started developing a strong interest and special love for in writing and journalism.  This continued day after day.

As the thought of quitting the banking industry began to gain a strong hold in me, I decided to discuss the issue with one of my aunts, through whom I secured the banking job.  She was shocked and disappointed to hear my plan of abandoning my banking job, which, according to her, was a choice job to many who were struggling and dying to find it.

“I don’t have much to say to you over your plan,” she retorted.  “All I can say for now is: count me out of your  new plan.”

My aunt’s reaction did more harm than good to my plan.  Apart from the fear of how to survive at school without a job, I was also afraid of how I would secure another job after my completion of my writing and journalism courses.

While that fear was tormenting me like the evil spirit that tormented King Saul of Israel, I heard a voice within me that said: “Go ahead with your plan.  You’ll surely survive and overcome.”

With that great encouragement, I boldly left the banking industry and commenced my writing and journalism courses journey without any fear.  In less than eighteen months, I was through with those courses.

That same Aunt off mine, who almost discouraged me from undertaking the writing and journalism courses was positively shocked to discover that I completed those courses without asking her for a dime.

The first day she saw my story in Vanguard Newspapers in 1989 (?), she took the Paper and showed it with pride to all of her friends.

I am very grateful to God who gave me the vision to see my future in writing and journalism.  This is because the skill of writing and journalism are some of my biggest strengths today, and not banking or accountancy.

I succeeded in that hard decision of leaving the bank because I believed in the principle of ‘do the things you fear and the death of fear is certain.’

Fear #4

Immediately after I decided to get married in 1995, a wandering spirit of the devil said to me: “Why do you want to marry at 33?  Don’t you know you’re still young to get married?  Is it because you have some money with you?  What would you do when the cash gets exhausted?” among other stupid questions.

The fear caused by these questions tormented me for several months.  It disappeared when I remembered the quote: ‘Do the thing you fear and the death of fear is certain,’ which I first read in Sword of the Lord magazine in 1989.

If I had not conquered that fear that time and year, who knows what would have become of me.  Only God knows whether I would have found the courage to marry, let alone having the beautiful and intelligent children that God blessed me with.  To God be all the glory.

So, my dear reader, are you facing any type of fear?  Is it the fear of how to find a job?  The fear of taking a plunge into the competitive and murky waters of entrepreneurship?  Is it the fear of going into marriage?  The fear of retirement?  Or, the fear of sickness and death?

Whatever type of fear that may be before you, there’s a way out of the doldrums.  There are two major ways of overcoming them.

One, ask God to help you crush that spirit of fear that has been tormenting you.  God, hearing your cry, will surely give a listening ear to your prayer, especially because the spirit of fear did not come from Him – 2 Timothy 1:7.

Two, after receiving God’s backing, the next best thing for you to do is to confront your fear headlong.  In other words, the combination of divine backing and boldness is a proper dosage that you need to give fear a lethal blow of its life.

Fear causes us to give excuses.  Won’t you like to stop giving excuses and start taking positive actions, as well as start progressing in life?

Of course, YES!  The easiest way to combat fear is by not using excuses, but to start taking necessary actions.

Fear is the root of failure, depression and lifelong problems.  Are you going to let fear ruin your life?  Of course, NO!

So, go ahead and fear no more, for God did not give us the spirit of fear, but that of power, love, and of sound mind.

Best of life is what I wish you.

Jah bless!