What if . . . You Learn To Run?
Just recently, I had two interesting encounters. One friend told me she was afraid to succeed. Another friend was afraid to fail. These encounters caused me to pause and reflect. The concept of succeeding or failing is not one I've spent a lot of time thinking about.
Fear prevents us from living the life God has called us to live. God wants us to live life to the fullest.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10
Fear of failure prevents us from moving forward. Fear can become an obstacle that hinders us from even trying. We may feel apprehension about change or being rejected. On the other hand, fear of success can also be a stumbling block; the thought of, "What happens if I reach my goal?" and "What do I do next?,"
Likewise, our fear can cause us to do nothing, in which case we become stuck without being able to fulfill our dreams. Take a moment to reflect on how far you have already come to help you face your fears.
What can you learn by doing the think you want to do, if you don't allow fear to overpower you?
How will you grow by taking a chance to accomplishing the goals you set out to do?
Who will you become as you move closer to your dreams and the person God has created you to be?
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
Once upon a time, you learned to walk. You fell, you got up, and you learned to run. What if you learned to run toward the person God created you to become?
As an Achiever (StrengthsFinder), I tend to "do," and "thinking" about doing does not always come into the picture. I tend to leap without thinking.
Every strength has a weakness, but the idea of allowing our fear to define us puts a limit to what God can do in our lives. We need to be in a place where our fear is overcome by our faith and trust in the One who is calling us. For the Lord created us with a plan and a purpose, and it is greater than we can imagine. All we have to do is take a leap of faith.
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
When is the last time you took a leap of faith?
Our definition of success or failure is defined differently by each one of us, because we all see success and failure through what is important to us.
What motives you? Is it a title? Is it money? Is it upward mobility? Is it the opportunity to travel and see the world or meet new people and experience new cultures? Is it the ability to buy a house or a fancy car?
Knowing that I tried and did not "succeed" does not make me a failure. If I do succeed, it is only by the grace of God.
Would you rather look back five or ten years from now and know that you went toward your dreams or would you be okay wondering what your life could have been like?
Personally, knowing I tried makes me happier than wondering what if?
If I never tried, I would never have been the first person in my family to go to college. I would never have continued my education to get by Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. I would never have become a Christian Life Coach. Most importantly, I would not have followed the calling the Lord set before me.
How am I sure of my calling? God placed it in my heart. If He wants me to go through a door, He opens the door. If what I seek is not His will, he will also closed that door. My job is to seek His will and obey, and through that He will give me discernment.
Ask God to go before you and bless your path. He hears your heart and want to give you the desires of our heart. (Psalm 37:4)
Don't look back and feel bad because you did not try or you were afraid to succeed or to fail. You will always regret it.
Failing at something does not make us failures. It's what we choose to do when we fail that matters most. Do we see the positive in the situation or the negative? Is the glass half full or half empty? Do we allow the opportunity to be a lesson learned and grow from the experience? These opportunities are moments to be seized. They make us stronger and more resilient. They take us out of our comfort zone and cause us to reflect. Reach for the brass ring. It is close at hand.
What is God calling you to do today? Let your faith in the One who created you set your course. Let your obedience express your love to our Heavenly Father. He didn't create you to fail. He created you to bless you and give you the desires of your heart. So, don't limit what God can do in and through you.
Our calling is our service to the Lord. It is an expression of our love for Him. Through your obedience you will be a blessing to many.
You are not succeeding unless you fail at some point; otherwise your dreams aren't big enough.
“Winners are not afraid of losing. But losers are. Failure is part of the process of success. People who avoid failure also avoid success.” Robert T. Kiyosaki
Run toward your dreams! You were made to thrive!
By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. John 5:30
