I've been dwelling probably a bit too much lately on one of my greatest fears...atychiphobia...the fear of failure.
Why am I afraid of failure? It's not that people will laugh at me. It's not that I'll look stupid.
I just don't like to disappoint people.
There are two main areas in my life right now that I feel as if I'm failing. And I tend to avoid these areas...not deal with them....push them away.
But this, of course, compounds the problem. It just prolongs the inevitable.
In The Message Bible, it says in 1 John 4:18--
God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.
As I read this scripture, it encourages me to trust in those who love me. Not only God's love, but those in my life who can help me through these fears. Yes, they may be disappointed, but love will overcome the fear, the disappointment, and the shame I feel.
But it is easier to write about than put into practice.
But I need to take a deep breath....plunge ahead.....and trust the love in my life.
Oh, if it were only that easy.
