The fear of failure can often feel like a heavy shackle, holding us back and turning our dreams into distant possibilities. We get paralyzed by doubt, standing still like a deer caught in headlights, too scared to make a move. But here’s the truth: waiting for everything to be perfect before we act can leave us stuck in perpetual inaction. As Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NLT) puts it, “Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.”
God doesn’t want us living with regrets or caught in the trap of hesitation. While we are called to be wise and heed the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we must also be ready to seize the opportunities He presents. When God gives us the green light or a push to move forward, it’s time to leap and trust Him. We’re meant to step out in faith and embrace the journey, not let fear keep us from reaping the blessings He has in store.
When we let fear hold us back, we’re essentially allowing the enemy to steal our potential. It’s easy to get caught up in “what ifs” and let anxiety about potential mistakes keep us from stepping out in faith. But remember, faith often means stepping out into the unknown, where we might feel like we’re walking on air. As we face these moments of uncertainty, it’s crucial to remember that our God is steady and reliable. He reminds us in Hebrews 13:5 (NLT): “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’” He’s our Heavenly Father, and He’s not the kind of leader who sets us up for failure. Instead, He’s the One who’s promised to be with us every step of the way. He has all power in His hands, and when we trust in His unfailing presence and guidance, we can face our fears and move forward with confidence, knowing that we’re never truly alone.
We need to recognize pessimism and fear for the obstacles they truly are to our dreams. When praying for change or waiting for a blessing to materialize, it’s often fear that blocks the way. Proverbs 3:5 (NLT) says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” The reason we shouldn’t rely on our own understanding is that God’s ways and thoughts are far beyond ours. He tells us in Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT): “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” When we attempt to use our own understanding to piece things together and make sense of them, we only end up confusing ourselves further and letting more fear creep in.
The best approach is always to trust God. Psalm 37:4 (NLT) tell us: “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” If we delight in our relationship with God, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts. This doesn’t mean we sit back and do nothing. As James 2:26 (NLT) reminds us, “Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.” There are certainly times when we need to be still and wait on God, but often, when it comes to our desires, this waiting follows our efforts to follow His guidance and uplift His Kingdom. It’s our responsibility to build the momentum and stamina that make our faith flourish. We shouldn’t let a fear of failure hinder these efforts. Instead, we should move forward with confidence, knowing that God will support us when we step out in faith.■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Don’t Let A Fear of Failure Stop You”, written by KLizzie, edited by Fran Mack and Kim Times, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2024. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.