What is fear? After searching several books and dictionaries, I found that fear is defined as a “feeling of agitation or apprehension, in response to a real or imagined threat.”In our society, most of the time we become ill not because there’s anything wrong with our body but because of the added stress caused by fear. I think it is very appropriate to touch on the subject as we are in the holiday season.

In this season, I know some of us fear that we won’t be able to meet our family’s needs economically, while others fear they won’t be able to be with loved ones due to an obligation (mostly true for military members like myself and countless others serving overseas).I can go on for hours citing the reasons one may feel fear. Instead, I will focus my full energy explaining the power we have as human beings to conquer fear throughout the next four weeks. I highly encourage you to read these blogs during the month of December and invite your friends to do the same. Please consider them my Christmas gift for you.

You Must Believe in Yourself

I encourage you to believe in yourself. You need to have faith in your ability to overcome fear or any other adversity you may be going through this season.Here are some reasons we don't believe in ourselves.

• Feeling of Inferiority: Fear of trying something new because we lack the education or other credentials. For example, a friend of mine refused to apply for a supervisory position because he felt inferior. All he had were a few college courses. However, the position didn’t require a college degree. Never-the-less, his fear prevent him from applying, even though the extra income would have benefited his family greatly.

• Confidence Gap: Another reason why many people don’t believe in themselves is what I call a confidence gap. These people let fear get in the way of their dreams and ambitions. A lot of them know they're working in a field they we’re not destined to be in; however, they fear that if they try to reach their dreams, it might not work out. They are also afraid they will be criticized by others if they don't meet their goals.

• Proximity to Negativity: Some people don’t believe in themselves because they listen to the wrong people—those people who are negative by nature. IF=f you don’t believe in yourself, your fears will be confirmed by listening to someone who doesn’t have your best interest at heart.

How to Gain Belief in Yourself

• Get a competent personal coach/counselor to help you build the skills to become a positive person.

• Whenever a negative thought comes to mind, pause; then, consciously voice a positive thought to get rid of it.

• Remember the most-famous quote of our only four-term-serving President Franklin D. Roosevelt who said, “All we have to fear is fear itself!”

• Most obstacles are self-made. Knowing this should help you stop creating obstacles in your imagination.

• Finally, let go and let God take control. I know some of the people reading this might not be of the Christian faith, but whatever higher power you believe in, it’s time to have some faith. It works for me all the time and I know it works for countless others, regardless of who, what, or when they worship.

This blog in the holiday series offered tips to help you conquer your fear. Next week, we’ll address how to develop a winning attitude.