Sacred & Seen

Fear is one of the most powerful emotions we experience. It can shape our decisions, influence our relationships, and build invisible walls that hold us back from pursuing our deepest desires. Yet, fear is also an illusion—a shadow that looms large but has no true substance unless we give it power.

Many spiritual traditions speak to the nature of fear and how it can deceive us. Fear whispers that we are not ready, not capable, or not worthy. But what if fear is simply a gatekeeper, standing at the edge of our next level, asking if we are bold enough to step through?

Fear as a Teacher

Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us, “Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay.” Fear often pulls us out of the present moment. It makes us dwell on what has already happened or what could possibly go wrong. But when we breathe deeply and root ourselves in the present, we begin to see that fear loses its grip. Right here, right now, we are safe, we are whole, and we have everything we need to take the next step.

In the Christian tradition, there is a call to trust in divine guidance. As 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Fear is not our natural state. Our true nature is rooted in love, power, and clarity. When we walk in alignment with love, we can move forward with confidence, even when the path is uncertain.

The Illusion of Limitation

Islamic scholar Rumi wrote, “Don’t get lost in your pain, know that one day your pain will become your cure.” Often, fear is rooted in past hurt or failure. But if we can see those experiences as lessons, we begin to realize that they do not define us. They strengthen us. They prepare us. Fear may feel real, but it is often just an echo of an old story we no longer have to believe.

Similarly, African spiritual traditions speak of the importance of ancestors and their guidance. The Zulu proverb says, “You are never alone.” Even when fear tells us we are isolated in our struggles, we are surrounded by those who have walked before us. Their courage lives in our bones. Their strength is ours to claim.

Moving Through the Illusion

Fear is not something to fight but something to face. Like mist, when we walk toward it, it begins to clear.

So how do we move through fear? We start small. We speak our truth, even if our voice shakes. We take the step, even when the ground feels uncertain. We lean on community, on faith, and on the deep knowing that we were created for more than surviving—we were created for thriving.

As Nelson Mandela once said, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” Courage does not mean we are fearless. It means we choose to move forward, fear and all, because we know what is on the other side is worth it.

You Are Ready

If fear has been holding you back, I invite you to pause and ask: What would I do if fear wasn’t here? Then, take one small step in that direction. Know that you are not alone, that the ancestors walk with you, and that the divine is guiding your path.

You are braver than you know, stronger than you feel, and more powerful than fear would have you believe. Trust yourself. Trust your journey.

Freedom waits on the other side.