Afraid of Success

My life is getting ready to change — dramatically, and for the better. But oddly, I feel fear.

As I write this, in my email inbox waits the publisher’s edited version of my book manuscript. Ready for review. But I’m not sure I’m ready. It still sits there — unopened.

This is how it’s been every step of my professional writing and speaking journey. I stick my toes out to take another baby step, and immediately, a benign sense of fear swamps me. A flutter of doubts and questions regarding my abilities attack my mind. I wonder if I’m crazy to think I could do something of this magnitude. To overcome this, I have to remember only one thing.

I was made to inspire others through writing and speaking. There have been too many opportunities, confirmations from professionals, and testimonials of this fact. The words God puts in my mouth, and pushes through my fingers are meant to go out into the world. This is how I make a difference, and to me, proves something about you.

You equally have a special gift, a high calling, a great destiny. Just because you haven’t discovered what that thing is, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Fear will lie to you, and try to convince you that you have no talent, and couldn’t possibly make a difference in the world. I know, because once I fell prey to that lie. But no more.

And beginning this very moment, you should resolve not to believe the lie of fear anymore. Talk to God like you’d talk to a friend. Ask Him what He created in you, before you were born, that might fulfill the purpose for which you were created. You matter, and your gifts are designed to impact others.

Mine were so natural to me, I didn’t think they were anything to get excited about. I assumed they were no big deal, and everyone had them. When others complimented me, I thought they were playing nice. Is there something you feel this way about? Do people tell you good things about something that comes so naturally to you, that you think they are simply playing nice?

If so, this could be your unique something. Maybe it’s baking. Raising children. Organizing. Analyzing. Peace-making. Finding an easier way. Making things fun. Cheering others up. Leading. Encouraging. Thinking fast in a crisis.

Whatever it is, all talent starts out as raw talent. Educate yourself, practice, and refine your fundamental abilities, until you hone them into a fine sheen. Then don’t be afraid to share your polished gift with the world. I know from experience this is one of the hardest parts of the process. But if you hoard it all to yourself, you aren’t doing what you’re supposed to do.

Going after our high calling is so difficult that most people fail to take the actions necessary to succeed. Humans are afraid of success, as much as they are afraid to fail. The fear of the unknown is a powerful force. The only way I know to combat it, is to rely on Jesus, and act on His counsel to take courage. I’ve had to do it many times through this journey, and find myself in the position to do it once again.

Now that I say that, I’d better say goodbye. I’ve got a manuscript to review.

What is one thing you’ve been afraid of, requiring a leap of faith, that you could take a small action step toward pursuing today? 

Anita Fresh Faith

Matthew 10:26 (NIV)