Inspiration can come in the most unexpected places, and the inspiration for this blog fits into that category. My mom and 6-year-old niece Madison called me the other day to let me know that my niece had broken her wrist. The “how” was similar to a story from my childhood, so they wanted to call and share the news. My mom told Madison that she needed to learn how to fall and not get hurt, and had suggested that Madison watch her older brother Marshall, as he isn’t afraid to fall and so seems to get hurt less when he does. As I pondered those words, the truth and depth behind them really started to sink in.
For someone like Madison (and admittedly, me for much of my life) fear can really get in the way. Fear of falling, or fear of failing, can keep us paralyzed and from even attempting anything new or potentially dangerous. If we never did anything that involved any risk, our lives would be so boring! There could be physical risk, like learning to roller skate or giving paddleboarding a try. There could be professional risk, like suggesting a new way of doing something or pursuing your dream job. It could be emotional risk, like telling someone you love them or letting someone in and being vulnerable. If we never did any of those things, think of what we could be missing out on. A new passion for sports and physical health, landing your dream job, falling in love, finding a best friend. In all of those, the rewards truly outweigh the risks.
Going back to my mom and sweet Madison, the second part to that conversation was my mom encouraging Madison to watch her brother so that she could learn how to fall. That one hit me so hard. It’s not a lesson we think of pursuing or teaching very often, but oh what an important lesson it is. Mom suggested Marshall was the one to watch, because he isn’t afraid to fall. I suppose it’s really more that he isn’t afraid of getting hurt. That’s not to say that he wants to get hurt, or that he just brushes it all off if it’s bad. But his focus isn’t on the fall, it’s on what he might achieve or get from trying. There is power in that perspective!
The mind believes what you tell it, and feeds what you feed it. So if your focus is on how good it will feel when you make the jump, or get the job, or find true love, then you are far more likely to be successful than someone who focuses on how much it will hurt if they fall off their bike, or what rejection feels like from a company or a person, or how much it hurts when someone you trusted betrays you. And your mind and body will work together to make what you focus on more likely to happen. Whether you are conscious of it or not. Even after the fall, if you keep your focus on getting up and trying again, the pain isn’t nearly so bad. If your eye is on what to try next, or a different approach or tactic, then the bad becomes smaller and the good is in reach.
The Scriptures have a lot to say about fear. Isaiah 41:10 “do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
In Psalm 56:3, David has this to say, “when I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
Of course, no conversation about fear would be complete without Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
What Paul is telling us is that instead of worrying, we need to go humbly before God in prayer with gratitude and ask for the desires of our heart (making sure you are asking for the right kinds of things is a whole other blog in itself, but if you are the results are worth it). If we do this, he promises us the most precious of gifts…peace. The kind of peace that only comes from God. Then as an added bonus, that peace will actually protect our thoughts and emotions and keep them focused on Christ…that is powerful!
If you feel like you’re someone who spends much of your time being afraid of trying anything risky, take a look around for the Marshalls in your life. Watch them, talk to them, see how they handle their fear. And don’t forget to take it to God in prayer as well. And go boldly with these words from Joshua 1:9 “I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Shalom,
Kristen
