Converting Fear Into Courage

Written by Cleanne Johnson, Author, Dietitian, Podcaster, Singer

Cleanne Johnson is a talented and creative artist who immersed herself in acting and performing arts from a young age. Blessed with her storytelling prowess, she perfected the art by telling stories to her family, creating fictional characters who came to life through her words.

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How can we convert fear into courage? How can one transform fear into courage and persist in the face of fear and enter a thrilling adventure of a brave path?

Fear is believing in potential harm, pain, or emotional distress caused by something or someone. These beliefs can materialize in various ways, affecting one’s physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being and isolating them from others or certain things.

Courage is the ability to conquer the belief in someone or something that has the potential to harm or cause you pain?

Fear, our biggest adversary, has plagued our lives. The fear of harm can be more damaging than the harm itself. When we let fear take over, it can immobilize us and make us vulnerable to life-threatening situations. Fear is the initial emotion that arises as soon as we are born. Fear taints us from the very beginning of our lives. As we age, our fears multiply as we progress through life’s various stages.

“The only thing we need to be afraid of is fear itself,” Franklin D. Roosevelt declared. Fear, the most ancient of emotions, has haunted humanity and remains a constant presence until our last breath. We possess the ability to intervene and impede its relentless advancement.

“I heard you walking in the garden, so I was afraid because I was naked (Gen 3:10)

Fear keeps us concealed in darkness. It caused us shame and made us unwilling to accept others. Fear holds us back from acknowledging our circumstance, from anticipating the outcomes, and concerning ourselves with others’ judgments. Our lives have been taken over by fear, without us even realizing it.

What actions can we take to overcome the enduring emotions imprinted on us since birth?

• Prayer: When praying, one must remain focused on God, request strength, and believe in never being alone. In times of overwhelming fear, have faith that God is beside you, empowering you to conquer it.

• Affirmation: Boosts your confidence and daily faith by affirming positive words (like “I’m courageous”) and then show your capabilities by acting. I AM is a belief system that rejuvenates your inner spirit and ignites your bravery.

• Meditation: Involves focusing on positivity and transforming fear into courage through reflection.

• Relaxation: Deep breaths can help you relax when fear threatens your mental state.

• Visualization: Picture fear fading away and being replaced by what you want to conquer it with. 

Through implementing these steps, we can strengthen our courage. Without courage, we cannot conquer fear.

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Cleanne Johnson, Author, Dietitian, Podcaster, Singer

Cleanne Johnson is a talented and creative artist who immersed herself in acting and performing arts from a young age. Blessed with her storytelling prowess, she perfected the art by telling stories to her family, creating fictional characters who came to life through her words. Cleanne started writing short stories and poetry to express her feelings and found writing to be a safe haven. Through her podcast, Beauty of Colors, the author of Love My Colors, Beauty of Colors (poems), Beauty of Life: 101 Inspirational Quotes, and Why This Trip, she loves to inspire people and listens to their stories. Deep in her heart, she believes everyone has a story to help change someone's life. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and a Master’s in Public Health from Andrews University in Michigan and now works as a registered dietitian in New York.

When she is not busy working on her next literary project, Cleanne enjoys cooking, hiking, reading, sewing, singing, and encouraging people from all different ethnicities that they are special, unique, and beautiful.