I've realized lately how much of my life has been dictated by fear. My fear of failing, my fear of not being liked, my fear of conflict, my fear of getting too comfortable, my fear of settling...the list could go on. I have also learned that when you don't acknowledge your fear it can lead to anxiety. My life has been dictated by fear and anxiety for so long. So I'm learning to be unafraid. I'm learning to ask for help and communicate my fears so those closest to me can help draw me out of my anxious thoughts. I'm learning that when you face those fears and work through them wisdom comes from it. I'm learning fear is okay and it's healthy, but it's what we do with that fear that matters. Every day I have to choose if I let my fear lead to anxiety or to wisdom.
I am trying to live my life unafraid. Unafraid to take a risk. Unafraid to live out a dream even if it means I could fail. Unafraid to speak and write out of my convictions and refuse to apologize for my beliefs. Unafraid to love deeply.
I am thankful that I have people around me who show me what it looks like to turn fear into wisdom. Sarah Bessey, a writer I absolutely love, wrote this and I agree:
But I will speak the truth, even if my voice shakes. I will sing in the woods. I will stand here in the wilderness, head up, unashamed, following in the footsteps of Jesus as best as I know to do it, loving him into every corner of my existence, because, at last, at least, I am not afraid of you.
So...my voice may shake, my over thinking mind may be asking my heart what the heck are you doing, people may disagree, mistakes will be made, but I will be unafraid.
