Thought Change Challenge #2: Push Past Your Fears

One of my favorite places to visit is the San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest. One visit we were canoeing at a Lake in Moran State Park (if you’re into that kind of thing I highly recommend you visit). I was with my family, and saw this amazing log bridge ahead that kids were jumping from. I felt really excited to try it.

In my head I was thinking, “If I don’t try this now, I may never get the chance to jump from that bridge again. I climbed up to that bridge from the water and discovered that what looked like not a big deal, was quite frightening for someone who is afraid of heights, like me.

My kids were watching and all the kids on the bridge were really encouraging. I was totally seized with fear!

I hesitated, and the longer I waited, the more my mind was saying, “There is no way I’m doing this!”

The kids on the bridge were trying so hard to help me as they challenged me to jump in with them on the count of 3. At least 4 sets of helpful kids jumped at the count of 3 to encourage me, and I didn’t follow. My fear was getting worse.

Finally, a cute 5-year-old made me promise if he jumped in with me this time that I would really jump. I knew I couldn’t break a promise to a 5-year-old, so as he counted to 3, I abandoned all of my fear and finally jumped in!

It was scary, my knees were shaking, but it was really fun! I was proud of myself for conquering my fear and my kid’s faces were beaming! It felt good!

I love this situation because it has so many lessons to learn from. I’ll just admit it, I feel fear all of the time! My mom never let me get away with not doing something because I was afraid, but I have never gotten over the fear of trying new things or going ahead with my desires and dreams. The word “Dreamer” has just barely been allowed into my vocabulary describing who I am and who I want to be.

I have been asked by God to face a lot of my fears lately, and I really don’t like that feeling! Who does? But I really want to grow in so many ways! God knows that I need to grow in those ways too, and He is helping me.

I read this definition of fear that perfectly describes what I’m feeling.

_{Fear: Running away from or avoiding an uncomfortable feeling that comes from the belief that something is going to cause suffering.}

Now, back to the story… I really wanted to try something. I was excited to try something. That something was really scary when I thought about it too much. I hesitated. That moment of hesitation made my fears get bigger and bigger. I almost didn’t do it, but a little friend urged me on and even was willing to go the distance with me. It felt so good to accomplish that thing!

What are your dreams? What have you wanted to accomplish but are not doing because of fear?
Start steps to doing it NOW! Hesitation causes more fear and doubt.
Surround yourself with people who know what your dream is and will support and cheer you on. God is your biggest ally!
Be prepared to feel really happy once you have started your dream!

Facing fears is not easy. We will feel fear as we get closer to the boundaries of our comfort zone. But we will get stronger! Our comfort zone boundaries will expand, and we will comfortably be able to do more things. If we do not push past our comfort zone it will get smaller and we will be more afraid. It sounds hard either way, but one way is so much more rewarding than the other.

You are amazing! You have so much to contribute to this world! You have so many people cheering for you and needing what you have to offer! Push past those fears and do those things you’ve always wanted to do!