SLP110 - Fearless and Forward : Three Kinds of Fear and How to Overcome Them

One hindrance to moving forward that often crops up is an internal dialogue laced with pessimism, fear, and the unknown. No doubt, you’re aware of the tragic situation unfolding in Europe and the Middle East this past week, where radical extremists took the lives of hundreds of people. Of course, our thoughts and prayers are poured out over everyone affected by these tragic events.

When events like this happen, it can fan the flame of fear, especially of the unknown. I don’t believe we were created to live in a state of constant fear, however. This week, I want to unpack some deep, thoughtful points about Fearless & Forward: 3 Kind of Fear & How to Overcome Them.

The definition of fear:

An unpleasant often strong emotion, caused by anticipation or awareness of danger; An instance of this emotion; A state marked by this emotion; Anxious concern; Reason for alarm.

1. The Fear of Man:

• The opinions of others
• Perceived status or lack thereof
• Loss of approval
• Loss of love
• Performance/reward (am I good enough to impress?)
• Fear of enemies or opposition (go along to get along)
• Fear of rejection
• Fear of job loss/financial ruin
• People pleasing vs. God pleasing

2. Fear of Risk:

• Success and fulfillment ONLY comes to those who are willing to risk the present for the sake of a better future.
• The best things in life come to those who look risk and even failure in the eye, and DO IT anyway.
• Fear of risk (and failure) will cheat you out of the joy and success of what COULD BE and lock you into the WHAT IS.

3. Fear of Failure:

• Someone once said “Failure is not an option.” Yes, it is!
• If you try and fail, at least you tried.
• Subjecting yourself to fear of failure (or fear of risk) will lock you into the present and keep you from having what God has determined in His own mind he wants you to have.

Fear stifles our thinking and actions. It creates indecisiveness that results in stagnation. I have known talented people who procrastinate indefinitely rather than risk failure. Lost opportunities cause erosion of confidence, and the downward spiral begins. ~ Charles Stanley

Pitiful is the person who is afraid of taking risks. Perhaps this person will never be disappointed or disillusioned; perhaps she won’t suffer the way people do when they have a dream to follow. But when that person looks back – and at some point everyone looks back – she will hear her heart saying, “What have you done with the miracles that God planted in your days? What have you done with the talents God bestowed on you? You buried yourself in a cave because you were fearful of losing those talents. So this is your heritage; the certainty that you wasted your life. ~ Paul Coelho

If we listened to our intellect, we’d never have a love affair. We’d never have a friendship. We’d never go into business, because we’d be cynical. Well, that’s nonsense. You’ve got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down. ~Ray Bradbury

Questions to Ask Yourself:

• What are your dreams?
• What has God called you to accomplish or do? What business, relationship, job, book?