God-Sized Dreams: A 30-Day Journey of Faith and CourageSample

Why It’s Okay If You Feel Fear

Yesterday, we talked about how fear is often more likely to be a confirmation to move forward than a reason to turn back on the path to our God-sized dreams. Here’s why: God wired our brains with a beautiful part called the amygdala—it controls our fight or flight response. Most of the time it works really well. For example, we instantly notice and react to the bear charging out of the woods at us.

Here’s where it plays into fear being a confirmation: the amygdala likes the status quo. It sees change, especially if it means stepping out of our comfort zone, as a threat because it’s unfamiliar. Therefore, it registers those things as something that needs a “fight or flight response” initially.

In Scripture, when God says, “Do not fear,” it is almost always to someone already feeling fear. He helps us get past that first response and move from fear to faith. But that first fear response is often an indicator that God is asking us to step out of our comfort zone. That’s why it can be part of a confirmation that he’s asking us to do something.

Your fear is not a reason to be ashamed.

And here’s a secret: everyone feels afraid when they decide to pursue a God-sized dream.

I’ve had the privilege of walking beside thousands of people on the path to their God-sized dreams. No matter their age, location, or lifestyle, they have this in common: at some point, they feel fear. It doesn’t matter if they’re already a bestselling author or putting the first words ever on a page; fear still comes calling. It’s no respecter of persons.

We believe a myth that goes like this: if that person I see is successful, then they must not struggle with fear. So we hold back because we believe we have to stop being afraid before we move forward. And we certainly don’t admit to anyone else that we’re terrified of what may happen. But we’re all in the battle against fear together.

Just this morning, I stared at the computer screen and felt the familiar prickle at the back of my neck that said, “If you try that, something terrible will happen.” Thankfully, I’ve been at this long enough now to realize that fear is quite the exaggerator. I can brush off those feelings a bit more easily than when I first began, but they’re still present.

When psychologists want to help a client overcome a phobia, one of the most effective treatments is exposure therapy. Little by little, bit by bit, they safely enable the client to confront what frightens them. Each time that happens, the client’s brain (specifically, the amygdala) learns to lower the threat alert level for that particular thing.

It’s the same way with us. We can’t talk ourselves out of fear. We just have to take steps of faith so that we can see we really are going to be okay. Then our brain gets on board, and the “sound the alarm” sensation of fear gets quieter over time.

God understands your fear. He doesn’t condemn you for it or tell you to snap out of it. Instead, he takes you by the hand and speaks to your heart words of courage, love, and grace. Lean in and listen to his voice until it’s louder than the fear.

You can pursue your God-sized dream with him by your side—even if you’re afraid.

Go Deeper

Read Isaiah 41:8-16 as an example of how God reassures his people when they are afraid.

God, thank you for creating me with the ability to feel fear. Without that capability, it would be difficult for me to survive in this world. Yet I don’t want to give fear more of a place in my life than you ever intended it to have. I choose today not to live in ongoing fear or let it hold me back from taking steps of faith. Please give me courage as I move forward with you. Amen.

What’s one truth you want to remember?

What’s the next small step you’ll take?