There is an old expression regarding faith that goes something like this:


Fear knocked at the door
Faith answered and no one was there!!

Many of us can be paralyzed by fear. Fear of missing out, fear of failure, fear of speaking, fear of heights, fear of snakes, fear of this and that, seems that there are phobias for anything and everything. Left unchecked these imaginary emotions can stop us from doing anything. A young adult would love to date a classmate or a coworker but is too afraid of rejection to make the call or ask the question. A hard-working member of the team at the factory or office is qualified and deserving of a raise but is too frightened to ask. When I was a teenager, I learned the story of Dick and Monte, two brothers a half dozen years apart in age. At one point, both were attending the same university and desperately needed a job to fund the process. Both applied for an opening at metal fabrication shop needing welders. The application contained a question that read something like, What is your preferred hourly rate? Dick wrote in a modest rate. Monte chose a much higher rate. Both were hired for the rate they had listed. Dick, who shared the story, told me that he learned to not let fear of rejection control him after that.

If we have settled in on a worthwhile dream or an important goal, our best hope for achieving success is faith in ourselves and in our dreams. It is said that Henry Ford once stated that, If you believe you can or if you believe you can’t, you are right. Most fears fall away as we begin a thing. Moving towards our destination is the best way to overcome our fear. Walt Disney is quoted as saying, “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing!” A very old Chinese maxim states, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

As you begin your journey towards that which is good and fulfilling, trust in God and believe in yourself. Don’t worry about the missteps and failures along the way. 

Keep going. Keep believing. Learn from your mistakes and don’t let anyone steal your dream. You can do it.

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