Fear, Faith, and Hope – Can perfect love cast out fear? Can fear be overcome through Bible Scriptures?
Insecure? Terrified of what they will think?
Scared of being known? Fearful of not being known?
Fear of failure? Fear of success?
Me too!
Perfect love casts out fear! 1 John 4:18
Certainly, we must figure out how to allow His perfect love to be in charge instead of our flesh. Especially, if we intend to overcome our fear of failure and anything else!
In other words, choosing to not confront our fear denies the grace of God. It denies His role as the giver of our gifts. And it denies His very creation of each one of us. Indeed, it denies His grace to sustain us as He made us.
On the contrary, if we choose to be accountable in using the gifts He has given us, we are happier and more productive. Subsequently, it takes work, practice, learning, prayer, and grace for us to overcome the fear of failure. And to live in His perfect love.
Remember the wicked and lazy servant?
The Parable of the Talents
…So in my fear, I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’ ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return, I would have received it back with interest.…
Matthew 25:25-27
Talk about fear of failure. Yikes, let’s not be that guy!
Fear Looks Behind
First, if we think about it, we are almost always okay right now. Here in this moment. Our fear is a projection of the future, that we are allowing to control us usually.
Fear is a Roadblock
For example, fear will set us up in our mind and heart for a disaster and this often is a precursor to a self-induced chain reaction.
Overcoming the Fear of Failure Cheats
Cheat #1 HIRE FEAR
Fear is hanging out anyway, right? Let’s hire him to be on our side instead of working for the enemy.
Here is the job we need to assign fear: motivate.
Here is the job Fear is fired from: depression.
I love the popularity of the slogan Do it Scared, I even got Ruth Soukop’s coffee cup with it on it. Gotta get the tee next!
Cheat #2 EMBRACE FAILURE
Yup, you, me, and Thomas Edison
” I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won‘t work.”
Thomas Edision
Make it your mantra, Failing is Awesome. And it really is, if you choose to always embrace failure as a lesson to grow and mature from. Specifically, I call that a win-win!
Cheat #3 EMBRACE REJECTION
Yeah, I know it’s kind of all over this blog and pretty much the point of this blog. But that is because it is such a rewarding and empowering way to live! We can’t avoid rejections, whether large or small. So, let’s embrace each one and count it as a win if we don’t let it knock us down!
I am so empowered now when some small thing happens, say a perceived cold shoulder from a friend who is usually delighted to see you? In the past, you would be distraught and let it ruin your day. Now? You put a tally mark on your ‘Rejections I Weathered Today” scorecard!
Cheat #4 God’s got your back!
Like, for real, He really loves you and wants what is best for you. So, what is it we are scared of again?
Cheat #5 He is your good, good Father.
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”Luke 11:11-13
Cheat #6 He is your Potter.
“Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
Isaiah 64:8
Failing just shows us we need to try again to improve. Great topic!
Yup, lots of room for improvement here!