Fear Not

Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it.  ~Bill Cosby

Photos by Michelene Cain

I am afraid of a lot of things. I am afraid of success, failure, ignorance and embarrassment. I am also afraid of spiders, the dark and of being in situations in which I do not have control. If I stopped to let my fears take hold of me, I of course think they would do me some serious damage.

There has been so much in the news lately to make us afraid. People have been committing unreal acts of violence to innocent people, without motive. No wonder there is so much fear in the world. It makes me think twice about going anywhere in public these days.

Fear came up in a conversation recently with some friends of mine. We talked about our worst case scenario and what would we do if it happened. I think we decided that we would just get through it. We’d muddle about, figuring it out. There are people who would help us too if we needed it. To rely on one another is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.

I heard a speaker once who said that when she is afraid she pretends she is a small child, and she runs and hides under God’s great robes. In there, she feels safe. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used that mantra to get me through something scary.

A couple of years ago, I realized I was in a situation that was becoming more and more of a drain. I loved my job but the distance I was traveling had become a huge burden. It would have been easy to stay at that job until retirement but I wanted a better quality of life for myself. The fear of starting a new job all over again, at age 53, was scary.

I finally made the decision that I wanted the quality of life more than I was afraid of starting over. An opportunity opened up for me, close to home, that I had been hoping for. I took the job. A year later, Life is better. It hasn’t all been easy, but it’s definitely worth it. Courage is fear that has said its prayers.

Photos by Michelene Cain
It's nice to share. Thank you.

4 Replies to “Fear Not”

  1. I can relate to the job thing…I believe I need to meditate this…good post. Perhaps I’ve not really decided that I want something more than I’m afraid of the unknowing change it would create.

    Thanks for the introspection, Joanne…love your posts.

    Marianne xo

  2. “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” I love that! I can see my prayers being like the deep breath you take before you do something scary – step out on the stage, take the jump, send that application. The breath brings a steadiness to the nerves, and I think that’s a part of prayer some days, his spirit bringing the steadiness.

    1. Yes, his spirit does bring calm and steadiness. It is good to see you on my blog. Thank you so much for stopping by! xo Joanne

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