“The fears we don’t face become our limits.”
-Robin Sharma
Have ever experienced a moment or time in your life where you felt afraid? What did you do? And how did you overcome your fear? Fear is often a natural response to the uncertainty of an experience, moment or season and it’s sometimes easy to give in to. It makes you feel trapped, powerless and limited and has the power to change the course of your life if you let it. There will be moments where you feel afraid but how you respond to those fears will determine what you experience. You can either allow it keep you stuck in the same place, or you can face it head on and allow it to grow you and take you to the place where you desire to be.
As a kid I can remember being almost fearless. I would do so many of the things that I wanted to do without a thought of doubt or fear in my mind. I look back and I am amazed at some of the bold things I did and even said. As I think back to that time in my life, I realize that as I got older I allowed experiences, situations and people to shape me and fear to take over. The bible talks about how fear is a dangerous trap and how God has not given us a spirit of fear of timidity. When I think about that scripture, fear really is dangerous because it can keep you stuck in a season or even a situation where you don’t belong and keep you from reaching your God given potential.
One of the things I am currently learning is that when I feel afraid I need to acknowledge the fear and then do the thing that I am afraid to do. Recently I had some opportunities where I’ve been invited to speak and teach in front of people. I really love teaching and am very passionate about encouraging and motivating people but I am always so nervous and afraid. A lot of it has to do with the fear of what other people think and the fact that I am afraid to mess up because once you say something you can’t take it back. Although I am often afraid I am determined to not allow that fear to stop me. A few of the things I tell myself to encourage me to step out is, ” It’s not about me, but it’s about God using me to speak and encourage people.” I notice that this takes a lot of the pressure off of me because I am not doing it for me but I am using the gifts that God has given me to honor Him.
Another thing I tell myself is, “Don’t think just do it.” Have you ever talked yourself out of doing something by playing out different scenarios in your mind of how everything will happen? That’s a perfect example of allowing fear to take over. I remind myself that everything doesn’t have to be perfect I just need to do it. I always remind myself of the scripture (1 Timothy 1:7) ” For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self discipline. Lastly I tell myself, “The more I step out the more I am able to face my fear and not allow it to limit or have control over me.” I realize the more I step out the more confident and courageous I become. When I do the very thing that I am afraid to do it helps me to see that I am capable of so much more if I just step out and do the thing I am afraid to do. I realize that there truly is no limits and the only limit I do have is the limits I place on myself.
Three things I this has taught me about how to face your fears:
1.) Do the thing you are afraid to do
If you really want to face your fear you have to do what you are afraid to do. Don’t give yourself time to talk yourself out of it. Juts do it. No matter what happens you win because you were able to do the thing you were afraid to do and you learned something from stepping out.
2.) Prepare for the thing you are afraid of
“Preparation breeds confidence.” The more prepared you are the less you have to worry about the results of something because you know that you have done what you need to do to execute on the thing you are afraid to do.
3.) Remember that it’s okay to feel afraid but don’t it stop you
Fear is a natural human emotion. It’s okay to be afraid at times but don’t allow that fear to dictate your decisions. How you respond to the fear you fear determines everything. Instead of shrinking back when you feel afraid push forward with boldness and confidence. Speak the word of God over the situation to help you have the confidence you need to step out.
Don’t allow fear to hold you back. There is truly no limits to what you can do. The only limits you have are the ones you place on yourself. If you really want something in life don’t be afraid to go after it. Life is too short to allow fear to keep you stuck and limited. Be bold. Be confident and step into the fullness if what God has for you life. Don’t be afraid to fail because remember failure is an opportunity to grow. Thank you so much for reading I pray this encourages you to be bold and face your fears!
What’s a fear you have recently overcome? How has overcoming that fear changed your life? Comment below I would love to hear your story.
Intentional Hope 