The Release of Fear: A Pathway to God and Greater Awareness PART TWO

4. Releasing Fear Through Present-Moment AwarenessNow here’s a concept that, if I could bottle it up and sell it, would make me rich: living in the present moment. It sounds simple, right? Just be here, now. But if you’re like most people, your mind is a time traveler. It’s constantly bouncing between rehashing yesterday’s mistakes and catastrophizing tomorrow’s unknowns. It’s like having a GPS that’s always taking you to places you don’t want to be.
Fear loves to pull us into the past and the future. It’s the voice that says, “Remember that time you embarrassed yourself? Yeah, let’s replay that!” Or, “Have you thought about all the ways next week could go wrong? Let’s make a list!” But here’s the trick: fear can’t operate in the present moment. It’s like a vampire that withers in sunlight. When you’re fully here, fully aware of this exact moment, fear has no room to creep in.
Mindfulness as a Tool for Releasing Fear
So, how do we stay present? It’s easy to say, “Just be in the now,” but let’s be real—our minds are like toddlers hyped up on sugar, constantly running from one thought to the next. That’s where mindfulness comes in. Mindfulness is like taking that hyperactive toddler, sitting them down with a coloring book, and saying, “Here. Focus on this.” It’s about bringing your attention to what’s happening right now—what you’re seeing, feeling, hearing, and experiencing.
For me, mindfulness is a lifesaver. Every time fear tries to drag me into some imagined disaster, I ask myself, “What’s actually happening right now?” Nine times out of ten, I’m just sitting in my living room, sipping tea. Nothing terrible is happening; it’s all just in my mind. And when I bring myself back to the present, the fear dissolves like fog under the sun.
Experiencing God in the Present Moment
Here’s the beautiful part: when you’re fully present, you start to feel a deep sense of peace, and that’s where God lives. God isn’t in the “what ifs” or the “should haves”; God is right here, in this breath, in this heartbeat, in this exact moment. When we’re constantly fretting about the future or reliving the past, we’re missing the divine experience that’s unfolding right in front of us.
One of the most powerful spiritual practices is simply being here, now. You don’t need elaborate rituals or complicated techniques—just be fully present. That’s where you’ll find God, not in some distant future or a perfect version of yourself, but right here, as you are.

5. The Impact of Fear on Perception and AwarenessNow, let’s talk about how fear messes with our perception. It’s like putting on a pair of tinted glasses that make everything look a little darker, a little scarier. Fear distorts reality, making mountains out of molehills and shadows look like monsters. When you’re living in fear, you’re not seeing life clearly. It’s like watching a beautiful sunset through a cracked, dirty window—you’re missing out on the full experience.
When we’re free from fear, our awareness expands. We start to see the bigger picture, the interconnectedness of everything, and the beauty that was hidden behind our fears. But when we’re stuck in fear, we’re too busy focusing on what might go wrong to notice the blessings right in front of us.
Fear as a Filter
Let me paint you a picture: imagine you’re at a party, and everyone’s laughing, having a great time. But you’re sitting in the corner, worrying that you might say something awkward. Your mind is so focused on this fear that you’re not even seeing the joy happening around you. Fear acts as a filter, blocking out anything that doesn’t match its narrative. You’re missing the laughter, the connections, the beauty of the moment because fear has you wearing its blinders.
When you let go of fear, those blinders fall away. Suddenly, you see things as they truly are. You notice the kindness in people’s eyes, the warmth in their smiles, the love in the air. It’s like switching from black-and-white to full color. And let me tell you, life is a lot more enjoyable in color.
Opening to Divine Insight
As fear loses its hold, you start tapping into a deeper level of awareness. You’re no longer bogged down by the ego’s fears and insecurities, so you can finally hear the quiet voice of intuition, or what I like to call divine insight. This isn’t some mystical, out-of-reach wisdom; it’s the natural clarity that comes when fear isn’t clouding your mind.
With this divine insight, you start to see the world differently. You understand that life isn’t out to get you, that people are more compassionate than you thought, and that there’s a bigger plan unfolding beyond what you can see. It’s like standing on a mountaintop and seeing the vast landscape below. Fear kept you stuck in the valley, but now, with a clear view, you can finally appreciate the beauty and wisdom of life.

6. Faith and Trust as Antidotes to FearNow here’s a real game-changer: faith. Faith is fear’s natural antidote. When you trust in something greater than yourself—whether you call it God, the universe, or the cosmic flow—you stop clinging to fear like it’s a life preserver. Faith is what allows you to say, “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I trust that it’ll all work out.”
Faith isn’t about believing that everything will go according to your plan; it’s about believing that, no matter what happens, you’ll be okay. Faith says, “Even if things go sideways, even if life throws me a curveball, I trust that I’ll land on my feet.” And trust me, life will throw you some curveballs. But with faith, you learn to dance with them instead of ducking for cover.
Building a Foundation of Trust
Trust doesn’t come easily for everyone. We’re raised in a world that tells us to “be prepared,” to have a backup plan, to expect the worst. But if we live our lives constantly bracing for disaster, we’re missing the point. Building a foundation of trust is about learning to relax, to let go of the need to control everything, and to believe that there’s a wisdom guiding it all.
I started building my foundation of trust by taking small steps. Whenever something didn’t go according to plan, I’d say, “Okay, maybe there’s a reason for this.” And guess what? There usually was. Over time, I stopped freaking out every time things went “wrong” because I trusted that they were just going a different kind of right.
Living with Uncertainty
The beauty of faith is that it allows you to live with uncertainty. When you trust that everything is unfolding as it should, uncertainty becomes less of a monster and more of an adventure. You’re no longer afraid of the unknown because you trust that, whatever happens, it’s for your highest good.
Living with uncertainty isn’t easy, but it’s incredibly freeing. You start to realize that life is meant to be a mystery, that we’re not supposed to have all the answers, and that’s okay. The unknown isn’t something to be feared; it’s where the magic happens. When you’re willing to let go of your need for certainty, you open yourself up to all the wonderful surprises life has in store.

7. The Role of Compassion in Dissolving FearNow, let’s talk about compassion. Compassion is like a gentle rain that softens the hard ground of fear, allowing love to take root. When you’re compassionate—toward yourself and others—fear doesn’t stand a chance. Fear thrives on judgment, separation, and isolation. Compassion, on the other hand, is all about connection, understanding, and unity.
The funny thing is, when we’re afraid, we tend to judge ourselves and others more harshly. We project our fears onto the people around us, assuming they’re out to get us or that we’re not good enough for them. But when we approach life with compassion, we start to see people (and ourselves) for who they really are: imperfect, yes, but worthy of love.
Self-Compassion as a Key to Releasing Fear
One of the biggest sources of fear is self-judgment. We’re afraid we’re not good enough, not smart enough, not capable enough. We’re afraid we’ll fail, embarrass ourselves, or fall short of some imaginary standard. But when we practice self-compassion, we realize that it’s okay to be human. We don’t have to be perfect to be worthy of love and respect.
Self-compassion is like a warm hug you give to yourself. It says, “Hey, you’re doing your best, and that’s enough.” When you’re kind to yourself, fear starts to lose its grip. You’re no longer afraid of failing because you know that, no matter what, you’ll still have your own support.
Compassion for Others as a Fear Dissolver
Compassion for others is just as powerful. When you approach people with compassion, you’re no longer seeing them as threats or competitors. You’re seeing them as fellow travelers on this journey, each carrying their own burdens, each trying their best. It’s hard to be afraid of someone when you see them through the lens of compassion.
The next time you feel fear creeping in—whether it’s fear of rejection, fear of judgment, or fear of conflict—try approaching the situation with compassion. Imagine the other person as someone who’s just as scared, just as vulnerable, just as human as you are. Compassion breaks down the walls of fear and builds bridges of understanding.

8. Fearlessness as a Pathway to Divine Love and JoyHere’s the ultimate reward for releasing fear: you open yourself up to a life filled with divine love and joy. When you’re no longer hiding behind the walls of fear, you start to experience life in a whole new way. Love flows more freely, joy comes more easily, and you feel a deeper connection to everything around you.
When fear is gone, love takes its place. And not just any love—the kind of love that fills every part of your being, the kind of love that connects you to God. You realize that love is the essence of everything, the fabric of existence, the heart of who you are.
Joy as the Natural State Beyond Fear
When you release fear, joy becomes your natural state. You’re no longer weighed down by worries, anxieties, or insecurities. You’re free to be yourself, to laugh, to play, to live fully. Joy isn’t something you have to chase; it’s what you find when you stop letting fear hold you back.
Experiencing God’s Love Directly
And here’s the best part: when fear is gone, you experience God’s love directly. You feel it in the warmth of the sun, the beauty of nature, the kindness of a stranger. God’s love is everywhere, but fear blinds us to it. When we let go of fear, we see that love is woven into every part of our lives.