Defeat Fear of Failure: Choose Faith - Part 3

Most children grow up planning to achieve their dreams. Young children tend to have big dreams because fear of reaching to the very edge of their capabilities has not become a reality. A young man's parents told him he was not intelligent enough to be a physician like his grandfather, who had assured him he could do it with commitment and hard work.

This young man graduated from Princeton University and medical school, and now serves as a physician with a large practice. He had to overcome self-doubts and fears as well as negative voices that were determined to diminish his enthusiasm. However, greater were the encouragement of his grandfather and the voice of God's love and purpose.

Deliberately choosing to be less than you're capable of being because of fear invites unhappiness. Self-doubt and fear are temptations. The Apostle Paul assures you that God will provide an escape from temptation's power so you can rise up against it. Believing God’s promises and acting upon them is God’s provision for defeating fear’s power. 

Defeat Fear of Failure: Choose Faith - Part 2

While I was serving in the military after graduation from high school, it was customary to hear disgruntled voices complaining about duty assignments. I also was dissatisfied with my assignment. When I was stationed in Florida, I became friends with a young man who appeared too bright and intelligent for his assigned duty.

I often hear clients grieving over wasted years spent in a career for which they were unsuited. A woman related how she gave up opportunities to excel when she was in her twenties because she feared failure. What perpetuates this attitude? Could it be failure to trust the capabilities that God himself has given to you for achieving his good purpose?

It’s scary to think of being stretched to the limit of your capabilities. Failure to live up to your capabilities could be driven by fear of future failures. However, fear can be overcome by trust and faith in God's purpose for you. God's perfect love conquers fear, so depend on your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to control fear’s power.  

Defeat Fear of Failure: Choose Faith - Part 1

Addressing the nation after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." He was aware that fear can be a powerful obstruction to taking positive, decisive action. Submitting to fear may be regretted later when the end result did not meet expectations.

With every opportunity it is not unusual to experience doubt, even fear, for opportunities require change. Self-doubt can be a significant obstacle because of negative thinking patterns like: "I can't do it!” “I'm not smart enough!” “What if I fail?” Negative thought patterns are obstructions to confidence and can be destructive to self-esteem and self-assurance.

Fear conflicts with faith, so when fear gets a grip, refocus your faith on Christ Jesus and 1 John 4:18. "There is no fear in love for perfect love casts out fear." The object of perfect love is Christ Jesus, who gives faith and strength to overpower fear. So when fear sets its a trap, focus on God's purpose and love for you.