Fear of Failure!

What is one fear that every person on earth has built into them? It’s “The Fear of Failure.” What is the number one reason people are afraid to step out and try their hand at something new? It’s “The Fear of Failure.” What is the number one reason that people are afraid to tackle a tough and demanding endeavor? It’s “The Fear of Failure.” I could go on and on here but I think that you get the picture.

The Fear of Failure is something that we each have to face from time to time. Right now the Fear of Failure is something that I am having to face at this point in my life. I have a decision that I must make in the next couple of days regarding the next few years of my life in regards to a career move since the doctor is taking off of the truck. For me right now the Fear of Failure is looking me square in the face.

Both the company doctor two days ago and then my doctor yesterday both asked me the same exact question. “What else can you do?” Wow, what a question! “What else can I do that I can make a living at and provide for my family and get us out of this financial situation that we’re in?” is really what I heard them saying.

This is where the Fear of Failure comes in. What do I do? What am I good at? What can I physically do? Who will hire me? What if someone hires me and I can’t cut it and I fail? I know that right now failure is not an option. My family is counting on me not to fail them.

This is really a test of my faith! I know that God has a plan for my life. I know that God has a great job for me. God just reminded me of Jeremiah 29:11 that God made to His people of which we Christians are grafted into. “For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

In addition I am reminded of Matthew 6:25-34. Jesus really nails here when He talks about a loving Father/God providing for us, His children

"So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not.
"And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith!
"So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.”

Just to add a little emphasis here the Lord also brought Jeremiah 17:7 & 8 to me here. "But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit.”

So how do I face my Fear of Failure? I must do as Jesus commanded in Matthew 7:7 & 8 "Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.” I just have to keep seeking the Lord and asking Him which way to go and what I should do. If I keep on looking for that job, that career, and I seek the Lord in this, I will find.

If I seek the Lord, if I follow the Lord, if I trust in the Lord, and if I draw from the Lord, then borrowing a line from the show “Fear Factor”, “Fear of Failure is not a factor.”

Be Blessed!

BIG SCOTT