This Thing Called FEAR!

F.E.A.R

A four-letter word that can either enlighten or ensnare. On one hand, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom; and on the other, the fear of moving forward is the beginning of stagnation.

Fear is an unsettling feeling that creeps up when you’re standing on the edge of something new or unknown. 

I've even heard that F.E.A.R. stands for "False Expectations Appearing Real." 

We all have fears! 

Some of us fear heights, others dread public speaking, or even cringe at the sight of bugs. 

But there's one type of fear that’s far more paralyzing: The Fear of the Unknown

Do you find yourself struggling with this regularly?

I've recently found myself here. A new opportunity, one I've long awaited, has finally come my way. It's everything I've wanted, yet I'm filled with concerns about the unknown. What if it doesn’t work out? What if I'm not good enough? What if I make a mistake? What if I wasn't supposed to try this?

Instead of celebrating the long-anticipated moment, I've been overwhelmed by "what ifs."

The fear of the unknown is dangerous because it slows us down, holding us back from reaching the very goals we're capable of achieving. We start with self-doubt and end with self-hate, a path no one should ever consider. 

So, how have I coped?

Not to sound religious, but I've been turning to God a lot these past few weeks. I've caught myself saying, "I'm sorry, God, for coming to You again with the same request: Please help me with this new fear."

Has He answered? Absolutely!

What has He said?

God has reminded me of what the Bible says about fear. In 2 Timothy 1:7, we read that "God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind." This is a powerful reminder that fear, especially the fear of the unknown, isn't from God; it's something we must overcome to step into the fullness of His plans for us.

Imagine if David had been too scared to face Goliath, or if Esther had let fear stop her from approaching the king. History is full of people who conquered their fears and took bold steps into the unknown. They chose faith over fear and refused to be crippled by negative possibilities. They changed the course of events for themselves and those around them by simply choosing courage.

As I continue to grow, I'm discovering that life presents us with different challenges. And the key to overcoming them lies in having a solid support system internally and externally, with God at the center of it all.

So, to anyone standing at the edge of a new opportunity, feeling fear tighten its grip, take heart. Remember, fear is just an illusion, a trick to keep you from your destiny. Step out in faith, trusting that God has equipped you with everything you need. The unknown may be scary, but it's also the space where miracles happen.

As we step into this new month, I challenge you, as I challenge myself, to leap into the opportunities before us, leaving fear behind. Let's choose faith over fear, courage over hesitation, and action over doubt. Your next big step could be the breakthrough you've been praying for.

Welcome to the month of August!

See you on the 15th! 

Cheers!!