Fearful? Go Ahead, Just Click Send

Fear can derail your purpose.

Days turn into weeks since the request came to look at my manuscript. Yet still I waited, doing anything but preparing it for submission. Washing laundry suddenly took on added urgency. Commenting on one more post became exceedingly important.

Slowly I tweaked and polished it. Even more hesitantly sent it to others to critique.

Finally, the time had come to send it.

Photo by Kevin B 3 via Flickr.

Fear

Yet my finger refused to click Send on the email with my attached submission. It danced above the key, not daring to make the final commitment.

But why? I should be excited for the opportunity to submit to a respected magazine. And I was. But something insidious and powerful stood in my way: Resistance in the form of fear nearly derailed my excitement.

Fear of everyone hating the piece. I’m not sure my fragile self-confidence can handle that.

Fear of everyone liking it. Then what? Will I be up to the task of being a writer, or will I let others and myself down?

Satan preys on our fears. And most of us have many for him to tap into.

Rational fear is a God-given emotion that has its place in protecting us from doing foolish or harmful things. But there is another type of fear that is neither protective nor Godly.

Irrational fear displaces and distorts purpose and passion.

When we give into this type of fear, as I nearly did in this submission story, we show a lack of trust. When we bow to irrational fear, we are displaying doubt about God’s power and provision.

The Lord has blessed us with many gifts, not the least of which is His strength and light when the way is difficult or hazy.

As recipients in faith of the Father’s abundant mercy and grace, we can be assured that His mighty hand will bring us through anything He leads us to …

… including rejection letters and the stress of success.

As recipients in faith of the Father's abundant mercy and grace, we can be assured that His mighty hand will bring us through anything He leads us to. Click To Tweet

Tap Into the Lord’s Strength

Living a life of fearless obedience is not possible apart from divine assistance.

We need His love to drive out our irrational fear. We need to set our minds on things above, not on what may happen here on earth. This allows us to tap into the Lord’s strength and gain the courage we need for this life.

Renewing our hearts and minds in Jesus Christ tethers us to Him and His divine strength.

Renewing our hearts and minds in Jesus Christ tethers us to Him and His divine strength, helping us overcome fear. Click To Tweet

I finally clicked send, not because I felt any more certain in the outcome, but because I know this is the next step on my path of purpose. A path where I am trying to obediently take each ordained next step, clear vision or not.

Who knows where it might lead. Kind of exciting isn’t it?

Dear Lord,

Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you for the purpose and passion you’ve ordained for my life. Thank you for your divine strength to pursue that purpose. Create in me a new spirit, Father, so I can set my mind on things above—on You Lord, on Your will. Help me drive out my fear with Your love and step boldly on the path of life and Godly adventure you’ve set before me.

In Jesus precious name. Amen.

Now go, click send.