I’m rarely at a loss for words—verbal or written. Yet last summer I launched a book project and found myself struggling to share my words once they were on the screen and saved to a file on my laptop.
You see, I began my blog in 2015, diligently pinning my thoughts on creating a life God loves and I enjoy, then posting them to help others do the same.
About a year into it, a new job started getting in the way of my creativity. I had little time and energy left to write and share these ideas.
The result was one missed post, then two, then so on.
Feeling Like a Failure
With each passing week, I felt like more of a failure than the week before, making it easier to fade further and further into the background. Then, God spoke to me about sharing my unique perspective with the world again.
I began with writing.
I began with writing partly because it was easier. I could make progress expressing my thoughts and build momentum before facing the greater challenge—my fear of failure.
I felt that I had failed before.
I didn’t want to feel that again.
That feeling—that fear—was standing between me and God’s leading, casting a shadow over my progress.
Was I going to allow fear—my fear of failure—to be an obstacle, blocking me from completing my assignment?
Was I going to allow fear—my fear of failure—to be an obstacle, blocking me from completing my assignment?
In his book Don’t Drop the Mic, T.D. Jakes writes, “Fear must never be the obstacle that blocks your development, growth, and maturity as a communicator.” And though I hadn’t read that then, I agree with his sentiment.
I must not let fear be the obstacle.
How I Overcome Fear
So, I overcame my fear. How? The short answer is I trusted God with the outcome. I was able to do that by taking two things in account—my past and my future.
So, I overcame my fear. How? The short answer is I trusted God with the outcome. I was able to do that by taking two things in account—my past and my future.
Look Back
First, I looked at my past—specifically, the worst things that have ever happened to me—the worst outcomes in my life.
I saw my father’s and husband’s deaths, back-to-back miscarriages, unexpected furloughs, debilitating debt, extended job searches, and my delayed blog. In each instance, it felt worse than it was. Those feelings were temporary and God brought me through each of those experiences with blessings and traits I didn’t have going in.
In other words, I saw that I’m still here. I’m still fighting. In each situation, I came out stronger in the end than I was at the beginning. In many ways, I’m in the best fighting shape of my life.
Look Forward
Seeing that changed my perspective about my future.
Looking at my future after assessing my past, I was reminded that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). The assignment God has given me is not too difficult for me, nor is it far off as Deuteronomy 30:11 assures us “…nor is it far off.”
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:1 For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. ~ Deuteronomy 30:11
Not only can I do it, I will do it. I will blog again. I will do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Before I know it, it will be done—I will have restarted my blog—because He who has begun a good work in me will complete it (Philippians 1:6).
...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ ~ Philippians 1:6
Part of the work is mine—to do all things through Christ—and part of the work is His: He will begin and complete that good work in me.
I can be confident in that. I can trust that.
Look for Opportunities
Needless to say, with these Scriptures tucked in my heart, my perspective changed. Rather than my failures, all I see are opportunities.
My perspective changed. Rather than my failures, all I see are opportunities.
Every day, God presents us the opportunity to create a life He loves and we enjoy.
My hope and prayer are for you, Friend, to see that opportunity and embrace it.
Just look at your past. You’re still here.
In some ways, I would hazard a guess that you’re stronger than before.
Now, look at your future through the lens of being stronger and trust that you will do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
Take the Next Step
And He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.
If, like me, you have already begun this journey, my hope and prayer is that you will embrace today as an opportunity to take the next step and complete the next leg of that journey.
Jakes, T. D. Don’t Drop the Mic (p. 39). FaithWords. Kindle Edition.
