What are you afraid of? A few things probably immediately spring to mind. Spiders. Heights. Small spaces. Commitment. Public speaking. We all have a fear of something. But are there some intimidating, frightening fears that are holding you back from doing things you’d really like to do?
I have more fears than the average bear. Some of them I came by naturally, some I “learned” and are a residual symptom from experiencing certain situations in life. There is a point sometimes that I allow those fears to have too much weight in my life. They could even be paralyzing at times.
If you have a fear of heights, you can most likely understand that paralyzing fear when you’re at the top of a high building or even walking on a bridge or on an open stairway where you can see down. I have that gripping fear and I can’t even allow my children to be too close to the edge, no matter how safe I know they really are. When they walked out on the Skydeck at the top of the Sears Tower, my anxiety level rose to astronomical heights. But I let them do it. I knew they were safe and I knew that I didn’t want to hold them back from experiencing something exciting that they’d always remember and could be a little proud of.
I’ve tried to start implementing that same attitude towards myself. It’s scary, sure. Maybe it’s a little risky, but I weigh the risk. What’s the potential gain of doing that scary thing? Confidence. Overcoming a fear. Being brave. Stronger faith. If you’re afraid of heights and bucked up and climbed to the top of the Eiffel Tower, that’s pretty amazing. You did something you feared…conquered a height…and you were safe and feasted on a magnificent view. It was worth it.
When you’ve stepped outside yourself and done something you were afraid to do, isn’t that an amazing feeling? Don’t you feel triumphant, like you can change the world? Remember that feeling for the next daunting challenge you’re faced with. There’s a great quote “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” It feels that way sometimes, doesn’t it? If we take that leap, we may achieve greatness.
What can you do today–even a small thing–that’s outside your comfort zone, something that could be a great thing if you could muster the courage? I challenge you to do that thing. Start to step out in faith instead of hanging back in fear, you can conquer the small fears and then the bigger ones. In 2 Timothy 1:7 it says “God did not give us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline.” Remember, if He is on our side, we can be fearless.
