How many times have we heard the expression “paralyzed by fear?” Did you ever stop to think about what that means?

Being paralyzed means you cannot move. If your legs are paralyzed you can’t move them; you can’t walk. Depending on the cause, paralysis can be permanent, or it can be temporary.

Being paralyzed by fear means we can’t make ourselves do what we want to do. Because we’re too scared to try; too scared to take that step which could possibly result in our getting something we really want, or really need. Because it could also result in our falling flat on our face, and not getting what we want. Possibly even making us look foolish. And none of us want that.

But if we don’t step out and take a chance we’ll never know whether we could have done it or not. We are literally so afraid of failure we can make ourselves fail. Because we don’t try.

Each of us has a dream, something we’ve always wanted to do. But we’ve never tried it, because we don’t think we can do it. Or we think others will laugh at us, make fun of us. Or we’re afraid to try, not because we might fail, but because we might succeed. And we don’t think we’re prepared for that either.

So we hold back. We don’t try. We think of every excuse possible for why we’re not trying. Why we’re not picking up the phone and making that call which could result in a new job, or a new relationship, or a new opportunity. Why we’re not speaking up about an idea at work that we know is good, and no one else has thought of; we’re afraid. Why we’re not starting our blog, exhibiting/selling our artwork, finishing that book we say we’re writing, but which still only exists in our mind.

We are afraid to fail. So we fail to try. And then wonder why we aren’t getting ahead; why we aren’t happy with ourselves. Why we’re stuck in the same rut, day after day, waiting for a better tomorrow that never comes.

2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and a sound mind.” Did you read that part about POWER? So what’s holding you back?

The spirit of fear is strong. But we have the spirit of power, which is much stronger than fear. We just have to use it.

Now a confession….for several years I’ve been working on finishing my first book. I kept holding back; I didn’t know how I’d do it, and I was afraid of rejection. Afraid to hear “no” about a project that has been so close to my heart for several years. I even put off letting others read it, because I was afraid they’d think it was awful. They didn’t. Instead, I received suggestions which, when acted upon, made the manuscript better. I received compliments I never expected. My readers liked my manuscript, and even wrote little notes about parts that really touched them! And that touched my heart more than you can ever imagine.

I discovered I really can write! And if what I write isn’t liked by everyone, that’s ok, because there are so many of you who do like it. I don’t expect to please everyone, nor should I want to.

And I’m finally close to having this first book published, most likely by the end of the summer. Yes, it’s scary, but it’s exciting as well to see my dream finally realized. And I know in order to market it, I’m going to have to go out and speak to groups and organizations, something else I’ve never felt really comfortable doing. But I’ve done it before, and I’ll do it again, because I refuse to listen when that spirit of fear comes crawling into my head. Because I have the spirit of power, and I’m using it!

Fear held me back at one time. But no longer. I refuse to be held back by fear.

And that freedom feels wonderful!

What about you? Are you ready to step out and lose the paralysis of fear? Put your spirit of power to use, and you’ll soon be amazed as the results start coming in.

And guess what….I’ve already started writing my second book!