Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (NIV)
I was working with a client I am coaching last evening and he shared an acronym with me:Â FEAR=False Expectations Appearing Real.Â
Nothing leads to defeat or a life of average to less than average more than fear. Fear is of the devil and the devil will do everything in his power to get someone to fail.
As a lifelong  jock I’ve had the opportunity to feel and deal with jitters. The jitters is a pre-competition feeling that takes place physically inside the body. You know what I’m talking about, a strange feeling shows up in your stomach, and often the bathroom becomes your friend on “game day.” But once the competition begins, the jitters turn into adrenaline and off to the races you go.
We all have jitters and they can be dealt with, but the difference between great performances and poor performances often resides between our ears. When jitters turn into fear, we begin to produce negative thoughts and there is nothing more paralyzing in the world than negative thoughts.Â
How many times have you walked into a room full of people and prior to walking in, you felt the jitters?  And then before you even take a step into the room the jitters begin to inhabit your brain and fear sets in?  You begin to think less of yourself and more of others. And as you walk into the room, people you don’t even know become your “enemies” because they didn’t look at you the right way and then you “freeze” on that particular moment and the entire evening is ruined.  Take the same jitter to fear to paralysis scenario from above and apply it to your job, your sport as an athlete, your responsibility as a Mom or Dad…whatever causes you to have jitters. How often does it turn into a False Expectation Appearing Real?
I know a ton of Christians that profess Philippians 4:13 as their signature verse, yet they walk around in fear. Thoughts like “he or she is out to get me,” “I’ve always been a failure,” “I sure wish I had his or her courage,” constantly inhabit their brain space. They like the verse in Philippians and they really want it to happen, but they do not put it to work. Jesus beats the devil everyday of the week if we call upon Him.Â
Over the years I’ve had my fair share of public speaking engagements and prior to any of these I always have the jitters. but I replace the jitters with the strength God affords me through Jesus as I say “Lord let my words be Your words for I know I can do anything through You.” He’s never let me down.
What False Expectation Appearing Real is holding you back today? Name it and ask God continuously to replace it with courage and strength (read Joshua 1:9) and you will be amazed at how you suddenly begin to effectively handle situations the devil once caused you to become paralyzed over.
Jitters are tolerable and all a part of “it,” fear is disabling.
P.E.A.C.E.Â
