Fear Not

By Brenda L. Hanson

Everyone is afraid of somethingbugs, loud noises, finances, getting married, storms. What about you? Having too many fears can be overwhelming. Many of them can keep you from doing the things you really would like to dotravel, move to another city or state, sing in front of an audience, write a book, apply for a job you have always wanted. What can you do to overcome those fears? With life experiences and many of Gods promises from Scripture, you will see how you can overcome those fears over time. Live the life God gave you. Live it for His glory.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449757526

Brenda L. Hanson

Brenda Hanson resides in Phoenix, AZ with her husband, Jim, and their children, Seth and Kara. They have one pet named Bailey. She is a soft-coated wheaten terrier canine who provides the family with lots of laughs and unconditional love. Brenda enjoys spending her free time reading, writing, hiking, walking Bailey, getting together with friends and family, traveling, scrapbooking, swimming, bike riding, attending/leading a bible study, and making a weekly trip to Starbucks for a good cup of coffee! When she doesn't have free time, she keeps busy being a taxi driver, nurse, chef, counselor, cheerleader, housekeeper, volunteer at her kids' schools, and prayer warrior with a Moms in Prayer group. She grew up on the East Coast and was born in Manchester, New Hampshire. She received her B.A. degree in Communication at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. She graduated Magna Cum Laude.

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Copyright © 2012 Brenda L. Hanson

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-5751-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-5753-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-5752-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012911588

WestBow Press rev. date: 07/09/2012

Contents

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Epilogue

Adventure Photo Gallery

Family Photo Gallery

Endnotes

Dedication

In loving memory of my parents, Roland and Sheila Fredette

Prologue

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

—Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

Most of us are familiar with the television show Fear Factor. It broadcasted years ago and returned to television in 2011. Years ago, I loved watching people face their fears week after week—someone lying in a glass box filled with crawling tarantulas or scorpions—because it was fascinating.

How could those contestants do it? Oh, yeah; they had a goal in mind: winning lots of money! Even so, I thought, I would never do that for any amount of money.

The show made me think about which fears I had at that time and throughout my life. The following is a list of some fears I have maintained throughout my life.

Such fears have crippled me to the point I could not enjoy the beauty of life around me. Some may be ones we share:

• Death of loved ones and myself;

• Flying on an airplane;

• Sharks;

• Heights;

• Surgery;

• Talking in front of a group of people;

• Marrying the right man;

• Being rejected; and

• Confinement in an enclosed space.

As a small child, I remember asking my sister, Why did Adam and Eve bite into the forbidden fruit? Now, we all have to die some day. I don’t want to die, and I don’t want any of my family to die.

She quickly explained why God made us mortal beings. What she and I did not know was that God gave us his Son so we could have eternal life with Him; as long as we believe in Him and accept Christ as our Savior.

I feared death because of the unknown. I thought life ended here on Earth, no matter what. The thought of not existing at all was frightening to me. I can recall many times being fearful of facing the fact my parents would die before me, most likely. That scared me to death—no pun intended!

As I grew older, I became afraid to fly. This fear was linked with my fear of dying and heights. I was afraid to be so high in the sky and the possibility of crashing. I thought surviving a plane crash was slim.

I used to have so much anxiety the night before I had to get on a plane. While on the plane, I never looked out the window, I never moved out of my seat; no matter how long the flight.

That is true. If I had to go to the bathroom, I held it until the plane landed. The only way I got through a flight was to pray before and during the flight. Over the years, my air travel increased, and now I love to fly!

It is like being closer to heaven. I now make it a point to look out the window many times to marvel at God’s creation below.

Within the past five years, I have conquered many of my fears by repeatedly coming face-to-face with them, having God by my side. He has given me peace and wisdom through His Word and the Holy Spirit to face my fears so I can fully live my life for Him, the best prize anyone can receive!

This book contains my life story filled with fears I needed and wanted to overcome. It is not easy to do and takes time. My goal for writing this book is to help others see, through God’s Word, they can also overcome many of their fears by trusting God and knowing He is in control. I have learned to let go, let God, and pray without ceasing for his help.

Chapter 1

For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say:

The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

—Hebrews 13:5–6 (NKJV)

I was born in Manchester, New Hampshire to Roland and Sheila Fredette on February 27, 1967; my parents’ second wedding anniversary. My poor mother had to work so hard on a day she should have been pampered.

Hopefully I was a good present for them. My sister, Alicia, was born fourteen months before me on December 24, 1965. It was another day a special gift was delivered.

We grew up surrounded by paternal relatives—cousins, aunts, uncles, and a grandfather. I was one of the shyest members of our family. I did not talk much, especially around a large group of people.

When I was growing up in New Hampshire, we moved around a bit. First, we lived in an apartment in Manchester. Then, we moved to the country. We lived in Merrimack during my initial elementary school years.

Looking back, I realize it was a wonderful way to grow up—playing outside all the time without the worries of stranger danger. I have memories of roaming the neighborhood with friends into the night. It was