Don’t Allow Fear to Rob You of Your Destiny

Self-consciousness, self-doubts, feelings of inadequacy, fear of rejection – we all have them. At one time or another, we’ve all heard that little voice inside our head telling us, “You can’t,” or “You’re not good enough,” or “What will they think?”

I don’t know about you, but I’ve allowed certain fears to imprison me in many areas of my life for far too long.

Just this past Easter Sunday, I faced one of the most mortifying experiences of my life (you can read about it here), but I actually lived to tell about it! Whew!

The buildup to that moment had my heart pounding, my breathing short and shallow, and sweat running down the backs of my legs (at least I think it was sweat)! 😉

After this not-so-pleasant experience (and after a rare session of emotional eating – Lay’s Potato Chips never tasted so good!), I was able to see just how much I had been dominated by a fear of failure. It really got me thinking about all the times that I have allowed fear to rule me instead of the peace of God (Colossians 3:15).

All throughout the Bible, we are told to “Fear not” or “Be not afraid.” But it is very obvious that there will be plenty of times when we will feel afraid. The problem comes when we allow those feelings to dominate and paralyze us – when we bow our knee to the the spirit of fear.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. ~ 1 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)

Over the years I have learned that even though I may feel afraid (or self-conscious, or inadequate), I don’t have to surrender to those feelings. In fact, I refuse to allow fear to keep me from doing what I am supposed to do.

Easter Sunday was one of those times. I had strong feelings of fear and, as I mentioned here, it was extremely difficult for me, but I did what I needed to do anyway.

We must all learn to do what we need to do no matter how we feel. Any time that we step out to obey God or to do something we’ve never done before, fear will try to attach itself to us. If we draw back and feed the fear, it will keep us in bondage. Fear will torment us if we allow it (1 John 4:18). But if we do the thing we’re afraid of – no matter what – our courage will grow!

I want to encourage you (just as I am encouraging myself) not to allow fear to keep you in bondage any longer. Don’t allow it to rule your life. Don’t allow your feelings of inadequacy or intimidation to keep you from doing what you know you should do.

Face your fears and you rule over them! Then you won’t be robbed of your destiny, and you will begin to see the fulfillment of many of your dreams come to pass!

I want to leave you with this inspiring quote from The Princess Diaries:

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all.

Fulfilling your God-given purpose is far more important than any fear you could ever face. Don’t allow fear to rob you of your destiny!