 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
THE PARALYZING EFFECT OF FEAR
I remember when I first relocated to Atlanta, Georgia to attend Clayton State
University and pursue my undergraduate degree in Biology. I had been attending a local college
in Albany, Georgia and doing fairly well. So, I was very excited about the prospects of moving to
the "Big City" and advancing my educational goals and pursuits. “ATL here I come!” I thought as
I headed toward my new home.
I had high standards and great aspirations for myself. Deep down I just knew I was on the right
path God had laid out for me. I can close my eyes and vividly remember that extreme giddiness I
felt about making a new life on my own and starting over. I felt such a rush of excitement,
tempered with a little nervousness of course. All in all, I believed I was up for the challenge, fully
prepared to face the world and settle into my classes at this new institution.
Remember that giddiness I just mentioned? Well, it didn't last long.
Once I saw how much more advanced the curriculum was at Clayton State I felt so intimidated, as
if I was way out of my league. How would I ever be able to catch up?
As you may know, depending upon what region you're in and which demographic is primarily
served at a particular college, the academic track can be quite different. In my experience, such
was the case.
I was lost.
I remember looking around the room in my classes at other students that seemed to have no
struggles whatsoever with the course materials. With laptops perched in front of them and
campus relationships that were already established, they looked to have a clear advantage over
me, the newbie with no friends, and worse yet, no faith in my abilities.
The school I left behind was much less competitive and the work wasn't quite as challenging. So,
imagine the blow of going from a decent student, to a student struggling to get by.
During this time in my life, I groped to find the least bit of optimism within, but that never quite
happened. Fear of failure had gripped my heart and it wasn't letting go. No matter how much I
tried to summons courage and change my outlook, I was convinced that, I would fail.
And you know what? My mentality became my reality. My fear of failing became a self-fulfilling
prophecy. I performed poorly in school for a short while, because I didn't think I could do well.
Of course there were other very real situations that contributed to my pressure and personal
struggle--one of those being a demanding work schedule as a student trying to pay my way
through school. Although that was a contributing factor to my poor academic performance, the
real culprit was simply fear.
Well, that was back in early 2007 and then, I truly believed I would never get beyond that. But
once I began depending on God and stopped allowing the enemy to plague me with fear, things
came together in my life. I began scoring A's and excelling greatly. Sure, I felt fearful from time
to time, but the more I pressed forward, the less the fear controlled me.
I shared that very personal story with you to demonstrate how negatively it can impact your life
when fear of failure, rather than faith in God, controls you.
Perhaps, past experiences have caused fear to take root in your heart, as it once did mine. Maybe
you failed at something you were extremely passionate about in the past and now, you don't want
to get back out there and try again. You may even have been in a painful relationship and as a
result, you feel afraid to make yourself vulnerable enough to love and trust one more time.
That's the paralyzing effect of fear. It hinders and holds you down, but it's time to be set free
from that yoke of bondage. God has a bright future in store for you, but you must believe it,
embrace it, and walk in it.
Remember, it is only your faith that frees you from the grips of paralyzing doubt and unbelief.
So, the next time you feel overwhelmed and afraid to step out on God's promises, pray and ask
Him to give you boldness to push past your limitations. God is able to loose you from anything
that stops you from believing in all that He has called and empowered you to be.
Begin believing that you will succeed; you will accomplish your goals; you will love again; you
will thrive, all because God has ordained it to be so. I pray that after today, fear of failure will no
longer paralyze you and rob you of your dreams, your faith, and ultimately, your destiny.
Laquinte is an Atlanta-based journalist, and columnist for EEW Magazine. She is very active in worship ministry at Greater
Traveler's Rest in Atlanta, Georgia under the leadership of Pastor E. Dewey Smith.
I remember when I first relocated to Atlanta, Georgia to attend Clayton State
University and pursue my undergraduate degree in Biology. I had been attending a local college
in Albany, Georgia and doing fairly well. So, I was very excited about the prospects of moving to
the "Big City" and advancing my educational goals and pursuits. “ATL here I come!” I thought as
I headed toward my new home.
I had high standards and great aspirations for myself. Deep down I just knew I was on the right
path God had laid out for me. I can close my eyes and vividly remember that extreme giddiness I
felt about making a new life on my own and starting over. I felt such a rush of excitement,
tempered with a little nervousness of course. All in all, I believed I was up for the challenge, fully
prepared to face the world and settle into my classes at this new institution.
Remember that giddiness I just mentioned? Well, it didn't last long.
Once I saw how much more advanced the curriculum was at Clayton State I felt so intimidated, as
if I was way out of my league. How would I ever be able to catch up?
As you may know, depending upon what region you're in and which demographic is primarily
served at a particular college, the academic track can be quite different. In my experience, such
was the case.
I was lost.
I remember looking around the room in my classes at other students that seemed to have no
struggles whatsoever with the course materials. With laptops perched in front of them and
campus relationships that were already established, they looked to have a clear advantage over
me, the newbie with no friends, and worse yet, no faith in my abilities.
The school I left behind was much less competitive and the work wasn't quite as challenging. So,
imagine the blow of going from a decent student, to a student struggling to get by.
During this time in my life, I groped to find the least bit of optimism within, but that never quite
happened. Fear of failure had gripped my heart and it wasn't letting go. No matter how much I
tried to summons courage and change my outlook, I was convinced that, I would fail.
And you know what? My mentality became my reality. My fear of failing became a self-fulfilling
prophecy. I performed poorly in school for a short while, because I didn't think I could do well.
Of course there were other very real situations that contributed to my pressure and personal
struggle--one of those being a demanding work schedule as a student trying to pay my way
through school. Although that was a contributing factor to my poor academic performance, the
real culprit was simply fear.
Well, that was back in early 2007 and then, I truly believed I would never get beyond that. But
once I began depending on God and stopped allowing the enemy to plague me with fear, things
came together in my life. I began scoring A's and excelling greatly. Sure, I felt fearful from time
to time, but the more I pressed forward, the less the fear controlled me.
I shared that very personal story with you to demonstrate how negatively it can impact your life
when fear of failure, rather than faith in God, controls you.
Perhaps, past experiences have caused fear to take root in your heart, as it once did mine. Maybe
you failed at something you were extremely passionate about in the past and now, you don't want
to get back out there and try again. You may even have been in a painful relationship and as a
result, you feel afraid to make yourself vulnerable enough to love and trust one more time.
That's the paralyzing effect of fear. It hinders and holds you down, but it's time to be set free
from that yoke of bondage. God has a bright future in store for you, but you must believe it,
embrace it, and walk in it.
Remember, it is only your faith that frees you from the grips of paralyzing doubt and unbelief.
So, the next time you feel overwhelmed and afraid to step out on God's promises, pray and ask
Him to give you boldness to push past your limitations. God is able to loose you from anything
that stops you from believing in all that He has called and empowered you to be.
Begin believing that you will succeed; you will accomplish your goals; you will love again; you
will thrive, all because God has ordained it to be so. I pray that after today, fear of failure will no
longer paralyze you and rob you of your dreams, your faith, and ultimately, your destiny.
Laquinte is an Atlanta-based journalist, and columnist for EEW Magazine. She is very active in worship ministry at Greater
Traveler's Rest in Atlanta, Georgia under the leadership of Pastor E. Dewey Smith.
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
© & TM 2008-2012 EEW Magazine a division of Hobbs Ministries a Subsidiary of Training for Reigning Inc. Custom graphics and logos are registered trademarks of EEW Magazine and may not
be reproduced or replicated in any form.
be reproduced or replicated in any form.
Determining the "Root
Cause of Your Fear"
is necessary in order to
overcome it. To begin
this process you must
be honest about why
you're feeling anxious,
worried, and afraid.
Then submit that area to
God and trust Him to
help you through it.
Cause of Your Fear"
is necessary in order to
overcome it. To begin
this process you must
be honest about why
you're feeling anxious,
worried, and afraid.
Then submit that area to
God and trust Him to
help you through it.
| FIGHT BACK |
Always fight your fear with
the word of God. It is your
secret weapon against the
enemy!
"For God hath not given us
the spirit of fear; but of
power, and of love, and of a
sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
the word of God. It is your
secret weapon against the
enemy!
"For God hath not given us
the spirit of fear; but of
power, and of love, and of a
sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
