When Fear Becomes a Prison

• By candidasullivan
• May 15, 2026
• No Comments

Every time we give in to fear, we make it stronger. 

Did you know that staying safely tucked in your comfort zone might make your anxiety worse? 

That’s what happened to me. I allowed fear to dictate my life. It controlled me. Worried me until I made myself sick. And tried to shrink me so small that no one would be able to see me. 

It was like a black hole. With every fear and thing I avoided because of fear, the deeper the hole became, and the harder it felt to climb out. The deeper the hole got, the more medicine I needed and the more panic attacks I had. 

Things I wish I had known when fear had me bound.

Control is an illusion. We can’t control anything or anyone, outside of ourselves. The harder we try to control others, the more out of control we feel. The only person we can control is ourselves. When I stopped trying to control others and outcomes, and started working on my thoughts, everything changed for me. 

Often, our thoughts intensify the pain we are experiencing. Until we examine them and process them accordingly, we will remain in pain. Usually, it is one major thought running the show. If we can find the thought, sit with it, and pray about it, God can show us how to change it. When we change our thoughts, we change our feelings, and our feelings change our actions. 

Sweet friend, I carried a painful thought for so many years. It caused me so much grief, and it wasn’t even true. We have to break the strongholds in our lives if we want to overcome. 

First, we do this with prayer. Prayer is the ultimate battle plan. We need to invite God into the pain and tell Him all about it. Then, we ask for guidance. 

Sometimes what God tells us to do is so uncomfortable that we pretend He wants us to stay safely tucked in our comfort zone. But God doesn’t want us to hide in fear. 

That’s what happened to me. I stopped working and stayed tucked away in my house all day. I dreaded leaving my safe haven. I was afraid to drive. Afraid to go into stores and be surrounded by so many people. Afraid to say the wrong things in conversations. 

The fear piled on me so high that it felt like it was burying me. And in some ways it was. It was burying my joy, my dreams, and my faith. 

I didn’t just jump out of the hole I had dug for myself. It took prayers, lots of tears, and the decision to feel the fear and do it anyway. Every time I felt the fear and did it anyway, I got stronger. 

Sweet friend, today I hope you will take a step outside your comfort zone. Even if it’s a tiny step. Everyone matters. God has something incredible for you beyond the fear. 

Use this verse to help. 

Philippians 4:13 King James Version

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

When God gives you the first step, take it with the faith that He will give you the strength to take the next. Regardless of what you’re going through, God’s got you!