What can you do to keep fear from holding you back from pursuing your dreams, goals or doing something significant?
We’ve all had times that fear kept us from doing something that makes a difference.
When you are doing something that matters, it’s normal to feel fear.
Get Connected
In dealing with fear, it’s helpful to consistently connect with people who are so passionate about what they are doing that they choose to take action in spite of being afraid.
The connection helps you to prevent being slowed down by doubts, discouragement and fears such as:
• “I don’t have what it takes.”
• “It’s going to be too uncomfortable.”
• “They’ll find out that I’m really not capable.”
• “I have nothing new to say.”
Courage is contagious when you regularly connect with people who are taking risks.
People who don’t allow doubt, discouragement or fears to keep them from something significant.
Make Friends with Fear
Have your actions ever shown that it’s not “okay” to fear?
I know that mine do!
Such as…
• numbing the fear
• running from fear
• playing it safe to keep from fear
It’s understandable that we don’t want fear to grow.
Yet, acknowledging the fear without any judgment can actually be a more effective solution.
It’s okay to be afraid.
It doesn’t mean that you are not a strong Christian, or that something is wrong with you.
Fear is normal.
When I don’t face my fears:
• The fears grow
• I rely more on myself
• My view of God shrinks
When God is calling me to do something that’s uncomfortable, I am going to feel some fear.
Trust God’s Ability
In the middle of feeling fear or resistance, I don’t always recognize that it could be God wooing me to take a step of faith.
That awareness typically comes later for me.
Fear can be signal that God’s calling you to do something that you can’t do on your own.
You know that if He doesn’t come through, you will fail without His help.
Many times when God has called me to do something significant, I’ve had to choose to:
• Not “play it safe”
• Not run from fear.
• Not numb fear.
Moving forward while afraid proves what I believe about God.
He’s worth the risk.
Question: Where do you sense that God is calling you to take a step of faith? You can answer in the comments below.
God is calling me to start writing. I took the tiniest baby step over Easter weekend, posting 2 short devotionals to my FB page on the day between Good Friday and Easter on Saturday and then another on the resurrection on Sunday.
My dream, one of the few that remains, is to live near the beach. I am starting to research some areas, but since this will require convincing my change – resistant spouse to come on board, that seems less likely.
Pat, that is so exciting about doing the short devotionals on your FB page!! Thanks for sharing that and your dream about the beach!