Overcoming Fear

“There’s no need to fear! Underdog is here!”

My favorite cartoon when I was three. Underdog. I do not know why this was my favorite cartoon, but it was. I loved the music, the characters, and everything about Underdog. Especially the fact that he always yelled, “There’s no need to fear!” just before he flew in to save the day. As long as Underdog was here, there was no need for fear. But as I got older, I realized that Underdog was just a cartoon, and there were things in my life that did cause me fear. Things that I did not know how to deal with.

At age fifteen, I had fallen into the “black hole” of depression so deeply that even a cloud in the sky would scare me to death. I was afraid of everything; storms, clouds, people, school, church. I was even afraid that the world was going to end and I was going to be left behind, all alone, with no one. But I had no idea why I thought the world was going to end, or even why I should be afraid of being left behind. At that time, I didn’t know God, nor did I know that He loved me and didn’t want to hurt me, but that He had a plan for me.

Not knowing how to get out of the black hole is scary enough. But…fear is something that the enemy puts on us, not God. God does not want us to be afraid. Throughout the Bible, we are told many times not to fear. If it’s in there so much, then don’t you think God is serious about us not being afraid? I think so, too.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” ~2 Timothy 1:7

When we come to know the Lord, He gives us power, love, and He takes hold of our thoughts, giving us peace. He does not give us fear. I did not know this for such a long time. It’s a shame really, how long it took me to figure it out. I spent many years under such oppression and depression, never knowing that the answer to my issues was within praying distance.

However, because God works all things together for good (Romans 8:28), He used the issues buried deep within me to help me find my calling, and my healing. He has helped me conquer my persecution and pain…and He has set me on the course to helping others become conquerors, too.

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” ~Romans 8:37

This is what the Lord did for me. He can do it for you, too. While Underdog saves the day in the cartoon world. God saves the day in the real world.

There’s no need to fear! GOD is here!

Shelley Wilburn

Shelley Wilburn has been writing since the age of twelve. She loves stories and adventures, and often finds herself getting into mischief with any one of her six grandchildren. She has written several articles and devotionals over the years for various newspapers, women's magazines, and newsletters. She has also co-authored devotionals. Shelley began writing full-time in 2012 after being healed of over 40 years of depression and anxiety. Using her love of writing, and wearing mismatched socks, Shelley has developed a unique ministry of encouraging others using biblical truths and stories from her own personal life. When not writing, you can find Shelley and her husband of over 30 years, D.A. zipping down the road in their newest adventure-maker, a bright orange, Mustang convertible Shelley has laughingly dubbed The Pony.