Why Overcoming Fear Matters: The Key to True Success and Growth

How we handle fear is one of the clearest indicators of how much success, joy, and progression we'll experience in life. Fear shows up for everyone—it's part of growth. The good news? We can learn to overcome it with faith, turning darkness into light and stagnation into forward movement.

The Root of Negative Emotions: Belief Drives Everything

Belief drives behavior. Emotions reveal our beliefs, and our actions flow from those emotions. Positive emotions motivate and uplift us, while negative ones drain energy and block progress (see Heal at the Roots for more).

To break free from negative feelings, we must understand them. Ask: What am I thinking? What belief is behind this emotion? All behavior is belief-driven—permanent change comes from rewriting those beliefs, not just surface fixes.

Here's the truth: The root of all negative emotions is fear. There are two kinds:

• Real fear (protective, like avoiding danger).

• Imagined fear (the stories we create in our minds).

We often resist the word "fear" because it feels weak—but recognizing it is brave. Fear disguises itself (see the chart below): stress, worry, anxiety, anger, guilt, intolerance, stubbornness, and more. These are still fear in disguise—darkness that sabotages, divides, and destroys rather than builds or unifies.

It's human to feel fear briefly—healthy fear can protect us. But lingering in it drags us deeper into darkness. Practice noticing fearful feelings as signals: You're on the edge of change and growth. Allow tears, release pain—it's healthy "growing pain." Don't stay stuck; fear isn't resolved by dwelling—it manifests physically if ignored (health issues, exhaustion, self-sabotage).

You've heard the acronym: FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real. Irrational fears steal creative energy and, if focused on too long, create the very failures we dread.

The Antidote: Faith – Light Over Darkness

The moment you recognize fear, use your inner light to push toward faith. Faith is the antidote to fear—it's our connection to God's light. When we hold faith with one hand and fear with the other, we stay conflicted and stuck. You can't serve two masters:

“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Luke 16:13)

Above, is a tree graphic that shows the negative emotions that relates to neck problems.  We are creators—we manifest what we focus on. Fear-focused energy creates drama and failure; faith-focused energy brings peace and progress. Let go of fear (even gradually—one finger at a time) and grip faith tighter.

Our fears often stem from disconnection from God, our true source of power and happiness. The heart reveals where we really stand. The simple resolution? Reconnect through faith.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. … Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”        (Proverbs 3:5)

“And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.” (Doctrine and Covenants 50:23)

Physical Manifestations: When Fear Becomes Dis-ease

Held negative emotions manifest physically—our body speaks the language of imbalance. For example:

• Stubbornness (fear of change, holding old unhelpful ways) shows in colon issues—things "held too long," rotting inside. Laxatives or oils may ease symptoms, but without addressing root fear, the problem persists.

• Intolerance or withheld expression often links to neck problems (the bridge between head and heart—suppressed voice causes tension).

Release the fear, refill the void with faith—connection to God. The body heals holistically when aligned. Refer to the diagram below.

The root of true health? Faith in God, receiving more light:

“That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” (Doctrine and Covenants 50:24)

Healing awakens us—brighter countenance, lighter body, clearer sight, hearing, and understanding:

“Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes—lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed.” (2 Nephi 16:10)

Practical Tool: Fear-Setting Activity

Self-reflection and journaling are key to change. Try this powerful "Fear-Setting" exercise (inspired by Tim Ferriss's method, adapted here):

1. Identify: Write the specific fear.

2. Live It: Imagine the worst-case scenario in detail—feel it briefly.

3. Resolve It: Outline what you'd do if it happened—your plan.

4. Move On: With a game plan, curiosity fades. Shift focus to what you want (positive creation). Solidify with affirmations, actions, and essential oils.

Example with neck pain/intolerance:

1. Fear: Others' shortcomings will harm me if I can't communicate without offending.

2. Worst case: Annoying people damage my life.

3. Resolve: Set boundaries, express myself clearly, see their view (neck clue: flexibility).

4. Move on: Affirm, “With God’s help, I communicate lovingly and clearly.” Use oils to anchor the shift.

Essential oils speed this:

• DDR Prime (Oil of Transformation): Dilute with fractionated coconut oil, rub on neck/spine—helps transform negative thoughts to positive, supporting renewal.

• Lavender (Oil of Communication): Inhale or apply—calms mind, eases expression fears, promotes relaxed, clear communication. Affirm: “I express thoughts and feelings with ease. I see others’ views lovingly.”

Oils create a positive "bubble"—relaxing body, boosting happy chemicals, aiding surrender.

Be Actively Engaged in the Light

We can't avoid all fear—it's like gravity pulling downward. But active engagement in light (good works, holy places, positive focus) strengthens us. The more we stand in light, the easier it stays. Honor your heart-compass, refine daily—it gets easier.

I'm so grateful for this knowledge—it's brought me extraordinary health and vitality, and it can for you too. Fear doesn't have to win. Let go, trust God, step into faith. You're stronger than you know.