am here with Alicia Forbes. I am so excited to have her with us today. Now, before we get started, I want to let you know that Alicia is a beloved follower of Jesus Christ, wife, and mother. She is also an entrepreneur and recently co-authored a Global Women’s Devotional Book with 129 professional women from 17 states and four countries. Wowzers! What a huge endeavor!

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Courtnaye – Welcome and how are you, Alicia?

 

Alicia – I am great and you? 

 

Courtnaye – Great! So we are going to be talking about your journey through fear, but also how we can overcome it in several practical and biblical ways. Before we dive in, Alicia, you have a women’s devotional which is entitled, "Promise: God’s Assurance on the Cross for Our Crown" and your story is based on fear. Can you tell us where did this fear originate from in your life? 

 

Alicia – Yes, Courtnaye. So basically, I grew up in Guyana, South America. And instead of hearing about God, I heard a lot about false gods and witchcraft. That is when fear was implanted in me. Growing up, I took that belief with me. So when I would seek advice, I would hear some of that instead of the Word of God.

 

Courtnaye – Wow! 

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Alicia - I just heard a lot of things that were unscriptural. When I moved to the United States, got married and had a child, I was still struggling with those fears. I sought godly counsel, but it still wasn’t lining up. I continued to live in fear. It just gripped me. 

 

Courtnaye – Gotcha. 

 

Alicia – Fear overtook me and it affected me physically and emotionally. For example, I couldn’t sleep. I had insomnia. My sleep-wake cycle was disrupted. I had stomach aches and headaches. I would sit and then all of sudden just start shaking. While I was in public, I was very fearful. Emotionally, I didn’t have any joy, no peace or happiness.    

 

Courtnaye – I'm sure many women can relate to these feelings when facing fear. How did you overcome it and how has fear shaped your life, but also helped you to be the woman of God that you are today?

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Alicia – Well, I turned to godly counsel and received it. Back then, growing up, I didn’t know who I was in Christ or the authority that I had. I didn’t know that I needed to attend church regularly, read my Bible regularly, pray regularly, and worship and praise God regularly. But when I started doing those things, I noticed fear dissipated. That is what changed my life. 

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Courtnaye – Amen! And now you're helping others overcome. As you mentioned how you got into the Word, His presence, prayer and seeking Him for yourself, one of the verses that comes to mind that I love is Psalm 34:4 which says, “I sought the Lord and he answered me. He delivered me from all my fears.” Alicia, you sought the Lord and He answered and delivered you. 

 

Alicia – Yes! You know, when you go to God for yourself and seek and study His Word, you’re building a relationship with Him.

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Courtnaye - Right! 

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Alicia - He is our Father. God wants us to spend that time with Him. When we build that relationship, read and know His Word, and when things are happening in our lives the Holy Spirit will warn us and the Word will align with what He is telling us. I didn’t have that back then.

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Courtnaye – But you have it now. And now you’re helping others discover this. So how can women reading or listening overcome fear? 

 

Alicia – Know that we are going to feel afraid, but we can’t give into fear. Also, know there is good fear and bad fear. For example, the good fear is the fear of the Lord, but the bad fear is when you walk into the street and a car almost hits you. Right? 

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Courtnaye - Right! 

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Alicia - So again, we are going to feel afraid, but focus on God. Don’t focus on the fear or the problems.

 

Courtnaye - That's good! 

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Alicia - Today, there are so many fears. There is fear of man, fear that we’re not going to have enough money, or fear that people are not going to like us. Again, we have to put our focus on God and give Him the praise, glory, and honor, and know who we are in Christ, while digging into the Word. One of my favorite Scriptures is Isaiah 41:10 which says, “Do not be discouraged, for I am your God. I will help you and strengthen you and hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Also, memorize and study about three Scriptures, and when fear tries to sneak in, open your mouth and praise God. Speak what the Scriptures say and it will disappear. 

 

Courtnaye – I love it! Thank you so much for sharing these helpful nuggets with us. Faith over fear! Alicia, can you tell us how we can connect with you?

 

Alicia – Yes and thank you so much for having me! You can visit www.aliciaforbesbooks.com. Also, I am on Instagram at forbesenterprises. 

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Courtnaye – Gotcha! Connect, connect! Grab her book, too!