This Monster Called Fear

 As human beings, we fear many things, some fears are valid, like fear of wild animals, fear of accidents and of harmful things. However today I would like to write about the fear of others’ opinions, the fear of judgement, the fear that we are not good enough.

This has been largely a year where I have tried to intentionally “feel the fear but do it anyway”. It is the year that I have deliberately worn shoes that were obviously bigger than me, afraid, but I wore them anyway.

As the year began, I promised myself that when I am about to say no to a challenge, and realize that the no is informed by fear, I will quickly say yes and figure out later. This has landed me in many adrenaline moments, but it is in these moments that I have learnt and grown the most. Has this been easy? Absolutely not. There are times I have committed to do something and on the material morning, I have woken up shivering, wondering what I got myself into, and wished I could call in sick and cancel the commitment. Yet every time I have been bold enough to face the fears, I have later wondered, what was so hard?

In Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”. I have known this to be true. That application that you fear, that presentation, that audience you are worried if they will give an ear, that girl you are scared will turn down your proposal, that huge assignment that you are scared of failing, remember, you can do it through Christ. So, forge ahead with all the assurance that Christ is backing you up and You can do it. I am reminded of the many times the Bible commands us to Fear Not. You have been commanded to not be afraid, so don't be afraid.

You see, friends, it is easy to coil ourselves and be crippled by fear to the extent to never get to know the beauty of what would have been if we were not too afraid. Lately I like to ask, “what is the worst that could happen?” If the answer is not death, then I have no reason to be too afraid.

Have I conquered fear completely? Madam Fearless huh?! Absolutely not, If anything, as I write this, I am afraid that you might read this and disregard me as a not good enough writer. I am afraid of a huge assignment coming up in two weeks, but I will do it scared. I will feel the fear, but I will do it anyway. See you on the other side of fear.