Join Me On the Journey

Be Afraid! Be Very Afraid!

Monday, June 25, 5:50 am

This blog has been quite an experience for me.

If you’ve been with me since the beginning, you may have noticed nearly constant little changes along the right side (called the sidebar). On the other hand, they may very well have gone unnoticed by many of you, but behind the scenes, I’ve had flashes of sheer terror as I have been messing around with the code that tells the computer how this site is supposed to look and act.

I have spent the last few months (between cooking and cleaning and chores and children) taking an online crash course on coding. I’ve worked through online courses and read several books. I have learned many things that allow me to make those changes to my website, and I have made some changes. But, it has been scary sometimes!

That first moment that I realized something I had tinkered with had caused a problem, I got that feeling in the pit of my stomach. (You know the one?) I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to fix it. I was afraid of what people would think when they visited the site. I was afraid because my hubby had already said, “You’re on your own with this one!” (He’s my computer guru, but he doesn’t know anything about programing.)

But, I’ve heard Joyce Meyer advise people, “Do some things afraid!”

Just think about that concept…Do some things afraid.

I must admit, that is something I have done quite a bit of my life. It could be part of my personality make-up. After all, I’m a fun-loving Sanguine whose natural tendency is to do things to stand out from the crowd. Or, perhaps it’s just a character attribute I developed early; a decision I made to try new things and learn as much as possible about them. Whatever the case, I just don’t mind that feeling in the pit of my stomach that tells me I’m treading new ground and I don’t know what’s coming over the next hill; in fact, I quite enjoy it.

I felt it the days I performed in piano competitions and when I decided that I would do a senior concert in high school.

I felt it when I left for college; and when I faltered and came home after my father left; and when I decided three years later to apply for medical school.

I felt it nearly every single day during medical school and internship and residency…and most days as a physician.

I feel it as a wife, a mommy and as a teacher to my children.

And I feel it now as a writer…and quasi web designer. :wink:

Now, I admit, there are times when I get tired of that feeling. There are times when I would just like to avoid it and live a peaceable life, but most of the time, I bask in doing things afraid!

You may not revel in that feeling as I do. But I would encourage you, doing things afraid can help you grow in areas of your life where you may be stagnant. You can learn so many lessons when the discomfort in your gut pushes you to find the answers you seek no matter what the cost.

Isaiah 43:5a says:

Fear not: for I am with thee: (KJV)

Now, this verse doesn’t tell you not to feel the fear. After all, that wouldn’t make sense. No one can go through this life never feeling fear. Instead, this verse tells you not to allow the fear to paralyze you; to be secure in the fact that God is with you always and so He will help you through that fear.

So…Be Afraid…Be Very Afraid! Ask God today what things He would have you do afraid.

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5 Comments »

  1. Phyllis Sather says

    Hi Tamera - I didn’t need this challenge today! I don’t like to be afraid and I don’t like to have to do things I’m afraid of… I like to be safe and not take risks. As one of my friends said, “I like it here in my closet. In fact, I’ve put up wallpaper and I’m quite comfortable.” ;).

    Actually, I probably need it more than most - I just don’t want it.

    Ok, so I’ll look for small ways to step out into things I’m afraid of - ok?

    Blessings, Phyllis

    June 25th, 2007 | #

  2. Tamera says

    You can do it! I know you can!

    You’re probably more courageous than you think you are.

    Just ask God for small ways to “step out of your comfort zone.” It gets easier and easier, I promise. :smile:

    June 25th, 2007 | #

  3. Jennifer Lopez says

    Thank you Tamera, I did need this. I am doing something today that is truly “stepping out of my comfort zone”! It’s funny, as I woke up this morning, I felt the Lord’s peace letting me know that He will be with me tonight and I should not fear. And now with your post, I feel it is just confirmation.

    We serve a truly awesome God! Praise the Lord!

    God Bless,
    JEN

    June 25th, 2007 | #

  4. Phyllis Sather says

    Ok ladies,
    I had a very busy and challenging day. I led our writer’s group for the first time. I was a bit scared but it was a small group and it went very well. I’m going over to the house of one woman who started out hating homeschoolers a year ago and now asked me to come over and teach her how to post on Word Press. She is a very intimidating person so I’m amazed that she has made such a turn-around.

    I have my e-book ready for the final edit so we’ll see how quickly that gets done. I also got the final graphics for the cover today so thats finished. Its a bit like having a baby.

    Gotta run,
    Blessings,
    Phyllis

    June 25th, 2007 | #

  5. Daniel says

    In the performing arts, you need a feeling of excitement in order to put life into your performance…as long as its excitement and not panic that a performer feels. Good luck.

    July 3rd, 2007 | #

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