True freedom is found when we are willing to confront and push past our fears.
1. Fear of Failure
I remember when I decided to start my virtual assistant business eleven years ago, I was so afraid. I was scared of failing. I was worried that I would not get any clients. I was fearful that I would not be able to convince anyone to pay for my services. I was afraid that if I didn’t end up with clients, I would have no money to raise our family. My list of fears was pretty long.
But one thing that gave me the courage to push past my fears was my desire for freedom. I wanted to experience the joy that came with being your own boss and setting up your own work schedule. I wanted to be able to do that because I had a toddler and an infant at the time. I wanted to enjoy motherhood — I wanted to be free to nurse anytime during the day, I wanted to be able to play with my kids during the day, and capture their milestones on camera all while working from home.
Starting a business and leaving the security of a “guaranteed” paycheck is not an easy decision, although nowadays jobs are not that secure. But risking the comforts of a 9-5 job was worth it for me. To me, it meant being at home with my kids and having a flexible work schedule.
2. Fear of Discomfort
A couple of years or so later, I had to muster up the courage to face another set of fears. When I had to leave a difficult and challenging marriage, I was afraid that I would never be able to make it on my own. I was worried that I would lose my kids if I left. I was scared of the social stigma that I was likely to experience. I was afraid that my kids and I would become a statistic, and so much more.
The thing that gave me the courage to push past my fears was knowing that I had to make a choice between continuing to live under conditions that would lead to depression, anxiety, oppression, and hopelessness — thereby exposing my children to what would have been their “normal” childhood — and restarting and designing a family life that best represented my values.
3. Fear of the Unknown
But my biggest fear was the fear of death. For some crazy reason, since I was about 13 years old, I feared that I would be the first person in my family to die. Why? I have no clue, and it was not until I accepted Jesus as my Savior (years later) that the fear completely disappeared. I’m no longer afraid to die because my life (alive or after death) is secure. I have eternal life because I placed my hope and trust in Jesus Christ. But it also took courage to take this step. Before I made my decision to follow Christ, I was always afraid of what people would think. I was worried that my “cool” friends would reject me, lol. I was fearful that my life would be boring. I was afraid that I would have to give up all the things I treasured in my life. But it turned out to be the best decision I ever made in my life, and it’s been nothing but a fun and adventurous roller coaster ride.
What I found to be true in all three situations is that it took courage to push past the fears. I also realized that the very fears that had almost paralyzed me never came to pass. My business never failed. I have been in business since 2009, and it’s what provides for my family. I also discovered who my true friends were because they loved me through transition and they have remained loyal friends and family to this day and I have a secure hope and future that give me eternal peace.
Are you willing to confront and push past any of your fears to accomplish your dreams?