Do you ever find that fear stops you from doing things you really want or feel called to do? From living in line with things that are important to you? From making a difference with your life?
Around my birthday, I usually ask the Lord for goals, or a sense of what He wants me to grow in during the year ahead.
This birthday (a few weeks ago), I really wanted the year ahead to be special. As I prayed and sought Him, I think He gave me an idea: to intentionally take baby steps of facing fear; to do things you’re afraid of doing, but actually want to do. To look at where fear is stopping you from living in line with where you want to be, and take steps towards facing that fear, so that you can move in that direction.
And it felt like the Lord was encouraging me to write down some baby step goals.
Not all at once, and not necessarily big things, but just making a habit of intentionally facing fear and stepping out as I lean on Him, baby step by baby step. So I made a working list, of mostly little things. Not rules, and not things I have to do, but just some things I’d like to work towards!
Already, it’s up and down, but I need to remember His grace (available to all who believe in Jesus and follow Him- you can find out more here). That’s it’s okay not to get there all at once, and He wants to help me.
A big area is definitely with driving. And, honestly, driving has been tough lately. I’ve had some panicky setbacks in my car, and lost a lot of confidence. Doing things that used to feel easy has been a lot harder recently. But He is helping me not to give up. I’ve been working up a ladder, baby step by baby step, and my plan has always been that, if I fell off one rung, I’d go down a step or two and build up from there. So that’s what I’ve been doing, and it’s working again! Even a tiny step is progress.
But it’s not just driving. It’s taking steps in speaking out, asking questions and saying what I really think when I’m scared to do so, which means remembering to have my identity rooted in Him.
Or taking opportunities when He gives them to me. A couple of weeks ago, I spotted someone I knew from my past in a location I wasn’t expecting. It had been over 20 years- would they even remember me? I sensed the Holy Spirit’s prompting to go up to them and say hi… but I didn’t, and the moment passed. I still regret it. Did God want to do something through that encounter, and I missed it?
The other day, when I was out food shopping, a similar thing happened, and I knew I didn’t wanted to miss another opportunity… so I spoke up, though it felt pretty awkward! And it was a good conversation- probably a Divine appointment. I got to encourage someone and pray for them. That’s the kind of thing I want to grow in- taking the opportunities when God gives them to me, instead of hesitating!
Taking opportunities to give out leaflets about the Lord, including in situations where I am afraid. Sometimes, I go to a prayer meeting in an area of town I’m a bit afraid of. I really don’t like driving and parking there, but I also wanted to share about the Lord there. The other week, I put a leaflet through a door in that area- something I’d wanted to do for a while, but wondered if I’d ever manage. Praise the Lord!
And to grow in remembering that He is with me and wants to help, and I’m not on my own as I step out, because I belong to Him through Christ (and you can too).
He says to me:
“‘Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” Isaiah 41:10
Am I doing this perfectly? No! Will I do it perfectly this side of eternity? No! But I’m covered by His grace in Christ, and I want to keep growing!
Are there things you could step out in doing for Jesus?
You can read more about how discovering God’s love can help with various struggles, including facing fear, in a free ebook for The Girl Who Longs to Know She is Loved.
May you, too, grow and find more and more freedom!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Caroline Abblitt 