Sometimes, it feels like we are "going on a ghost hunt" to try to find the fears inside of us. Bravely, we chant, "I'm not afraid...got my magic wand, and my magic potion, too." But, like children, when we come to actually looking, full-face, at the ghost--at our fears--we are afraid. The magic wand and potion of distractions and substitutions--of compulsive overeating or workaholism or other substitutions--do not work.
After we panic, if we can just settle down with our fear, just sit with it a few minutes, we might begin to see that the fear of the fear was bigger than the fear itself. Turning on the lights of reality helps us, but only if we're willing to look.
Looking to God helps us to look at the truth. Living in fear is contrary to what God has planned for us. Seeing the truth clearly banishes the ghosts.
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."--
2 Timothy 1:7 [ESV]