I have a question for you: What is holding you back from following God with all your heart?
Perhaps nothing is. If so, that’s great! Keep it up!
But some of us just can’t make up our minds about what to do with our lives. Others know what they should do, but don’t have the time or finances to get started.
If you’re like me, the big problem–the thing keeping you from fully entering into God’s adventure–is fear.
Simple, raw, paralyzing fear.
Fear of the unknown, the risky, the uncomfortable.
Really, fear is at the bottom of everything that holds us back.
I can’t make up my mind about what dream to pursue because I don’t want to make the wrong decision. So in the end, I don’t make any at all. I fear wasting my time and money on my dreams because I don’t want to wake up at 30-years-old, dirt poor with nothing to show for it. So I maintain the status quo — which really isn’t much, to be honest.
Fear keeps me from pursuing the beautiful but risky desires God has laid on my heart. It’s easy to hold back, to make excuses, to say things like “I’m too young” or “I’m not ready.”
It’s safer to sit in boot camp instead of engaging the battle. Sure, the structure and rules of camp get old after awhile, but at least you don’t risk your life.
This is true. Sitting in boot camp for the rest of your life is safe. But you know what else?
It’s pointless. Meaningless. Unhelpful.
Boring.
Soldiers don’t sit in boot camp for their entire careers. They either go to battle or they go home.
Going to battle is scary, though. It freaks me out. Perhaps it freaks you out, too.
But you know what? We don’t have to give into fear. Why? Because Jesus didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). He said nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). He declared we are more than conquerors through Him (Romans 8:37).
Therefore, we fear no evil.
If you don’t believe me, I want to prove it to you. For the next month on my YouTube channel, Wild:Life, I am going to face a scary thing per week and I’m going to record and upload the experiences to the channel so you can see for yourself that it can be done.
The first several challenges are things I personally fear, but I’m not doing this just for myself. I want to show you that you can face your fears, and overcome them. If I can do it, you can do it, too!
So I need your help.
I want to know that one thing which scares you out of your mind.
Maybe that’s talking to someone about Jesus. Maybe that’s playing an instrument in front of your friends. Maybe it’s jumping off a cliff.
Whatever it is, I want to prove to you it can be done.
Yep, that’s right: if you’re willing to tell me the one thing that freaks you out the most, I’m willing to do it with you.
I want as many people as possible to see their fears can be conquered. So do me a favor, comment, thumb-up, and share this video so your friends see it too. While you’re at it, subscribe to my channel. It’s a big help!
Do you think it can be done? Remember, it’s not your neck on the line, it’s mine. So why not give it a shot?
Let’s not let fear hold us back! Let’s conquer our fears.
P.S. I’m serious about this. What are your fears? Nothing is too big or too small. Let me know in the comments below!
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The thing I am most afraid of is deciding on a career and pursuing it. I’m afraid that I can’t handle it, will make the wrong decision, will miss out, etc. This is a pretty big one though, you don’t have to do it. 😉
My greatest fear is losing my family. Either them dying. Or my following Jesus causes the relationships I have with my family to be hurt or even destroyed.
Sharing the gospel with people is definitely scary! (Or just talking to people in general–on the phone etc.) Stepping outside of your comfort zone and asking someone you know (but not really well) a non-superficial question. Also. . .as Chris said, figuring out your future. What do you do as a career? How do you figure out marriage etc.
I had a dream one time where I told these people my greatest fears were having the really important conversations and people finding out that I have a missing adult tooth–they probably don’t reflect my actual fears accurately, but it’s something.
I’m also scared sometimes that I’m not as important to the people in my lives as they are to me or as other people are to them. That’s something I need to work on. Anyway. . .I’m rambling. I’m really excited for the rest of this series!
This was really good! God has been working with me on my fear, which is rejection from people I want to get to know. I am very much an introvert, and sometimes I don’t do well with talking face to face with a person. Anyway, that’s what I’m afraid of. Thank you so much for this, Christopher!
Greatest fear? More of a concern, or a “thing that I want to happen the least,” and that would probably be to reach the end of my and say, “I failed God,” or “I shoud’ve prayed more.” To be realistic, I will have regrets. But I want to minimize unnecessary regrets with God’s help.
This was a really cool article. My greatest fear is probably being myself in front of people I don’t know that well. Letting go of people’s opinions, and not caring about what they think. Being different is what basically envelops my fears. Its kind of inconvenient when you’re trying to be a light to people! So yeah… I care too much.
I’m afraid of letting others down, afraid of failure, and stepping out of my comfort zone!! (And just about everything written below my comment!😂😬)
Christina, I know exactly what you’re talking about!
There’s a lot that goes into answering this question–mostly just living life, experimenting, listening for God’s prompting… But at the end of the day, I’m not too worried that you’ll mess up your career path. Surely, you’ll make a few mistakes or miss a few opportunities, but with your sensitivity to Christ, I think you’ll do fine.
So that’s just free encouragement. =) If you want to hear some more of my journey with a slightly different, but similar struggle (committing to a YouTube channel), you can check out my latest vlog here: “This is the scariest thing I’ve ever done” https://youtu.be/yWg49Mzx08I
Man, Joy, that’s tough. And it’s real. I believe you’ll do a great job, especially sensing the sensitivity that you already have.
Keep in mind the incredible value of Jesus. That won’t necessarily remove the fear, but it may help.
This was a big fear for me growing up, but it was always removed and distant. But when I was 16, I lost my Mom in a car accident. Obviously it has had a profound impact on my life–impact that I’m still unraveling and grieving… but through it all, I know Jesus has been close (though it doesn’t always *feel* like it!).
This is a very real fear, but I believe in you and what Jesus can do in you, Joy! Keep pressing on!
Yeah, I hear ya, Jason. This (having spiritual conversations is definitely something I want to do a video on because it’s a personal struggle for a lot of us and I’d like to push through it.
AND, by the way, you ARE important! And you do MATTER and what you do matters! I know these are easy words, but I really believe it and more importantly, God says it.
God bless, brother! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Anna!
Ooooh. Fear of rejection. That’s a big one. A big one that I know very, very well.
Perhaps I should make a video on my journey with rejection? AGH! But that seems so SCARY!
Thanks for sharing! God bless you, Anna!
Louis, this is real. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, I agree. We will likely have some regrets, perhaps. But perhaps not?
I struggle with this fear a lot as well… I wonder if I’m wasting my time. I wonder if my work matters or will make any significant impact.
But you know what’s really important?
That JESUS WON’T FAIL US! That’s amazing! He’s so faithful and reliable. I want to put my hopes in His strength and tenacity. Perhaps I can make it, literally, riding on His wake! =)
Oh, yes. That is a tough one. I’ve struggle with this too.
You know… I wouldn’t be too hard on yourself. The fact that you care about what other people think and their opinions tells me you are sensitive to how they feel, which is a good thing. You might not feel like it’s a good thing, but at it’s core, I think it can be healthy.
If everyone cared more how they were coming through to other, perhaps less hurt would be given.
The danger comes when we care more about what other people think than what God desires. What God desires is BEST, but sometimes we can let others’ opinions shape and define our direction and identity. That’s when it becomes a fear of man.
Does this make sense?
What do you think?
=D I know what you mean.
You know what, I have a feeling you’re doing a lot better than you think, Katelyn, so keep being yourself and keep abiding in Christ!
Blessings!
This makes total sense! Thanks for the encouragement.
Wow! Thanks Christopher. Especially the last part means a lot.
I wish I could re-meat you sometime now that I know you. Lol
Do it! Do it!
It would encourage a lot of people, Chris 🙂
Wow, you have no idea how much your words meant to me!! Thank you😊
I’m really scared of sharing personal struggles with anyone, even family members. God is helping me overcome them, though, but it doesn’t get easier every time, let me tell you.
Wow. I had a similar situation when I was 15, But for me it was my best friend and a blood clot in the brain. He didn’t die, but we thought he would for a couple weeks, and that’s when the reality of death hit me.
Yes. I believe Jesus will give me the strength to keep going and make the right decisions when the time comes.
Hmm. I can identify. Sometimes it’s just hard to talk about personal struggles–especially if they have to do with other people. Continue to be brave, Jonathan!
Yes, I just forced myself today to tell my dad something I had done, it was pretty hard:D But I really had to.
Thank you Christopher, any and all encouragement is very welcome. 🙂
That’s awesome, Jonathan! Proud of you man!
It really is freeing.