How to Turn Fear Into Faith (For Enneagram 6s)

Dear Loyalist,

You’re the hands holding everything for everyone, the arms keeping us safe, the backbone of community, the feet that stand for the good all. You prepare for all the things we miss or underestimate. 

Rarely do you rest. 

Even when your hands are still, you’re working out potential issues inside your head. Researching the safest option. Eliminating the unknowns.

How long has it been since you’ve had a break from the residual fear that tenses your brow and deflates your smile?

Where does worry catch your breath?

What’s keeping your mind restless when you want to be asleep?

You carry so much, willingly. Now it’s your turn to be carried—by arms that never grow weary. Arms that always stretch wide in welcome. Arms large enough to hold the whole world, and all the worries within it.

Tunnel Vision, and a Turn Around

Ironically, it can be easier to still our minds when our hands or feet are moving. I invite you to choose one the following activities as you ponder these questions for the next several moments:

• Take a slow stroll outside
• Walk circles through your house
• Jump on a treadmill or elliptical if you have access to one
• Doodle in a notebook
• Grab your favorite adult coloring book
• Crochet or knit
• Wash dishes
• Pull weeds
• Sweep the floor
• Fold a basket of laundry

Now, let’s get bravely honest. 

What gets the most attention when you feel afraid?

If you’re like me, you dedicate a lot of mental energy to worst-case scenario thinking. I’ve dismissed many an idea with a slew of reasons something could go wrong. I’ve felt fear rising like a tsunami wave when I’m in a tight spot. And I’ve given my full attention to what’s not mine to control or fix far more times than I can count.

Fear can create tunnel vision, where you see only what’s wrong–and what could go wrong. Coincidentally, whatever you focus on appears to grow larger.

You can fret over the dire need for a miracle–and miss the Miracle Worker who waits patiently, ready to dispel your fear with perfect peace. When fear keeps your eyes on the problems instead of your always present Savior, it cripples your faith.

But the opposite is also true: fear can actually fuel your faith.

Turn Fear Into Faith

I think back to grad school graduation. Instead of donning a gown and throwing a cap, I was moving. And that was a miracle–one wild miracle that taught me how fear can fuel faith.

It was 2008 and I was nervously twisting my desk chair as I talked to my mom. 48 hours. That’s how long I had to find an incoming student willing to take over my lease and somewhere more affordable to live. Mom calmly reminded me to pray because God already had this figured out.

Of course He did! He’s my Good Shepherd, my Steady Friend, my Loving Father. I just needed a reminder to focus on Him over my fear. Because, at the end of the day, whether He provided a way out of my on-campus lease or kept me rooted here on purpose, I could trust His plan.

Fear helps us recognize our need for God’s help. And that’s sheer grace!

We turn our fear into faith when we engage in honest conversation with God. Our questions don’t overwhelm Him. Neither do they irritate or baffle Him.

Here’s for your heart, my Enneagram 6 friend: God wants to listen. He wants to hear you out. He cares about everything—big and small—that matters to you.

He won’t walk away.

He won’t tell you you’re overreacting.

He won’t interrupt you.

He will always be there for you. Without fail. Without condition.

And when you’re with Him, you’re safe no matter what’s going on all around you.

So let your worries pull you into His embrace. Let your questions lengthen your conversations with Him. Let your fear fuel your faith.

Permission and a Prayer for Enneagram 6s

Remember how we talked about what we focus on grows? The same thing happens when our gaze rests on Jesus.

Our gratitude grows.

Our reverence deepens.

Our joy explodes.

I know because I’ve experienced it.

The most painful and trying seasons that pressed my knees into the carpet changed my faith far more than the ones that have gone according to my plan. Sometimes you’ve got to cry your way through worship songs to know down in your bones that God will hold you no matter what happens. Other times you need another person to come alongside you, lend the support you crave, and remind you that true security is found solely in Christ.

My friend, here’s permission to take a time out. A time out from thinking about what you still need to prepare for. A time out from weighing all the options. A time out from the second-guessing and self-doubting. A time out from juggling all the things for your people.

Your people need you. We need you. But we need you rested. Secure in the unwavering love and protection of Jesus. Open-hearted and open-handed.

Jesus invites you to a real rest. The kind that softens the worry lines in your brow and relaxes your shoulders. The kind that creates space for tender dialogue with Him. 

This is His invitation:

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

– Matthew 11:28-30, The Message

May I pray for you?

Jesus, You know every worry weighing on my friend. Everything that looks impossible. Turn her attention towards You and grant her mind rest so she can hear You more clearly. Guide her. Provide for her. Comfort her. Converse with her.

In Your name I pray, Jesus. Amen.

Gift for You

Before you go, there’s a gift I’d love to tuck into your hands. It’s four beautiful lists for Enneagram 6s, highlighting   

• clues you might be an Enneagram 6
• what we appreciate most about you
• how you can use your strengths to mirror God’s grace to your neighbors
• and (for the rest of us) how we can best missionally love the Enneagram 6s we know

You can grab the Enneagram Neighboring Lists. below. Each list is available both as phone wallpaper and as a printable pdf.

Bonus: you also get the four lists for each of the other Enneagram numbers!

I’ll leave you with one of the tips for neighboring well as an Enneagram 6: Meditate on scripture when you feel anxious. You can love others best when you’re healthy.

Just a friend over here in your corner,

---