Monday, February 25, 2008
Conquering Fear
This is a good article I was given, see if it reasonates with you.
By Steve Cook
For years I’ve wanted to write something about overcoming fear and, for years, I haven’t had a clue what to write. But today, during my daily devotions, it hit me like a brick and the Lord just put it on my heart to stop and begin writing - right then and there!
Fear, as many of you know, is the number one reason that the majority of people who walk the face of this earth choose a life of mediocrity. For many, it is an insurmountable obstacle with too many risks to even try to escape. The masses of society live day to day bound by the fear that enslaves them. Most people are secretly disappointed with the lives that they live, but will never admit it. They measure themselves up against others and, as you sink lower and lower into the pit, you just find someone not doing as well as you to make everything all right.
The vision that most people have created is to be just a little better than someone else. Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m not an alcoholic. I only drink on the weekends, but John goes to happy hour ever day” or “We’re not doing so bad. At least I can figure out a way to get my car payment made.” These thoughts and other like them are what go through the minds of people who have settled for mediocrity.
We’ve all had grand visions of what we wanted out of life. We have allowed our circumstances and others around us to steal our vision for the greatness we are capable of.
Below are the qualities I believe a person who overcomes mediocrity and makes their vision a reality must possess. I also challenge each of us, including myself, to strive for our vision:
1) A good attitude. If you are pessimistic and believe that everything is going to fall apart, why would you ever take a step toward your vision? A positive attitude gives life to a vision; a negative attitude kills it. My challenge - look at yourself and get rid of any negative thoughts. Turn them into positives and reflect on the positive thoughts when you catch yourself thinking negatively.
2) Belief in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, why should anyone else believe in you? My challenge – look at the things you wish to accomplish and have confidence that you CAN do them. If you need to take steps to make your visions a reality (i.e. more knowledge or education, making better choices, etc), then start those steps today. Don’t put off until tomorrow what can be done today!
3) Willingness to grow. The fact of the matter is that none of us are capable of carrying out our grand visions in our current state. We need to be stretched and have to allow it to happen. Stretching is oftentimes painful as we go through it; however, it makes us stronger and better. My challenge - let your desire to be better exceed your desire to avoid the painful stretching called growth. World class athletes put themselves through excruciating pain during their workouts because they know it will pay off and they’ll be better athletes for it. If they opted to avoid the pain because it hurts, they would also opt to give up their status as world class athletes. Mediocrity is the easy way out!
4) Focus. To overcome your fears, you need to truly know what it is that you are pursuing. You need to have an end in mind and focus on it. My challenge – come up with a plan on how to achieve that end and muster up the determination to follow it. Following a plan isn’t always easy. In fact, most things are never easy the first time we do them. However, the more we do them, the easier they get. Your plan may be difficult to get rolling, but once it starts moving, you’re on your way. It’s like pushing a stalled car. On a flat surface, it takes a lot of work to get the car moving. Your efforts are far greater to get it started compared to the effort needed once it’s moving. On occasion you’ll hit little hills, and sometimes big hills, but if you are determined enough, you will push the car over the hill and get to a point where it rolls by itsel f.
5) Enthusiasm. This is the fuel that gives energy to your vision. If you aren’t excited about your vision, it’s going to die. My challenge - maintain your enthusiasm by exercising all of the items above.
I stated earlier that the Lord put it on my heart to write this, and to write it now. The Lord gave me the vision and, with that vision, He gives the tools to carry it out. When you have a vision, you will also have ALL of the tools available to you. You can either pursue your vision with a good attitude, a belief in yourself, a willingness to grow, focus and enthusiasm or choose a life of mediocrity. Which will your choice be?
Looking for Inspiration
By Steve Cook
For years I’ve wanted to write something about overcoming fear and, for years, I haven’t had a clue what to write. But today, during my daily devotions, it hit me like a brick and the Lord just put it on my heart to stop and begin writing - right then and there!
Fear, as many of you know, is the number one reason that the majority of people who walk the face of this earth choose a life of mediocrity. For many, it is an insurmountable obstacle with too many risks to even try to escape. The masses of society live day to day bound by the fear that enslaves them. Most people are secretly disappointed with the lives that they live, but will never admit it. They measure themselves up against others and, as you sink lower and lower into the pit, you just find someone not doing as well as you to make everything all right.
The vision that most people have created is to be just a little better than someone else. Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m not an alcoholic. I only drink on the weekends, but John goes to happy hour ever day” or “We’re not doing so bad. At least I can figure out a way to get my car payment made.” These thoughts and other like them are what go through the minds of people who have settled for mediocrity.
We’ve all had grand visions of what we wanted out of life. We have allowed our circumstances and others around us to steal our vision for the greatness we are capable of.
Below are the qualities I believe a person who overcomes mediocrity and makes their vision a reality must possess. I also challenge each of us, including myself, to strive for our vision:
1) A good attitude. If you are pessimistic and believe that everything is going to fall apart, why would you ever take a step toward your vision? A positive attitude gives life to a vision; a negative attitude kills it. My challenge - look at yourself and get rid of any negative thoughts. Turn them into positives and reflect on the positive thoughts when you catch yourself thinking negatively.
2) Belief in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, why should anyone else believe in you? My challenge – look at the things you wish to accomplish and have confidence that you CAN do them. If you need to take steps to make your visions a reality (i.e. more knowledge or education, making better choices, etc), then start those steps today. Don’t put off until tomorrow what can be done today!
3) Willingness to grow. The fact of the matter is that none of us are capable of carrying out our grand visions in our current state. We need to be stretched and have to allow it to happen. Stretching is oftentimes painful as we go through it; however, it makes us stronger and better. My challenge - let your desire to be better exceed your desire to avoid the painful stretching called growth. World class athletes put themselves through excruciating pain during their workouts because they know it will pay off and they’ll be better athletes for it. If they opted to avoid the pain because it hurts, they would also opt to give up their status as world class athletes. Mediocrity is the easy way out!
4) Focus. To overcome your fears, you need to truly know what it is that you are pursuing. You need to have an end in mind and focus on it. My challenge – come up with a plan on how to achieve that end and muster up the determination to follow it. Following a plan isn’t always easy. In fact, most things are never easy the first time we do them. However, the more we do them, the easier they get. Your plan may be difficult to get rolling, but once it starts moving, you’re on your way. It’s like pushing a stalled car. On a flat surface, it takes a lot of work to get the car moving. Your efforts are far greater to get it started compared to the effort needed once it’s moving. On occasion you’ll hit little hills, and sometimes big hills, but if you are determined enough, you will push the car over the hill and get to a point where it rolls by itsel f.
5) Enthusiasm. This is the fuel that gives energy to your vision. If you aren’t excited about your vision, it’s going to die. My challenge - maintain your enthusiasm by exercising all of the items above.
I stated earlier that the Lord put it on my heart to write this, and to write it now. The Lord gave me the vision and, with that vision, He gives the tools to carry it out. When you have a vision, you will also have ALL of the tools available to you. You can either pursue your vision with a good attitude, a belief in yourself, a willingness to grow, focus and enthusiasm or choose a life of mediocrity. Which will your choice be?
Looking for Inspiration
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