I’ve actually felt pretty fearful lately.
Not the kindof fearful where I even realized it. Not fright or desire to run and hide. I haven’t been jumpy or afraid to speak out.
l’ve been experiencing a different kind of fear...the kind where I’m afraid to take risks, afraid to dream big.
I know part of this fearful mindset is a natural and probably common reaction to all that I faced last year. So much happened personally and professionally for me that I became more risk averse.
For some people who are naturally risk takers that might actually be a good thing but I was already a risk averse person.
I like to think things through and plan everything out to prepare for every possible scenario. I usually have a plan A, B and C.
It’s a quality that makes me great at the product development, design and operational parts of being a Christian entrepreneur. But it's also the part of me that makes me less naturally comfortable with the selling, promoting and marketing parts of running a small business.
And I also know in my heart that although I am childless, God has given me loved + blessed to nurture and care for-so I fear taking big risks that could cause me to miscarry it too. I know I didn't do anything to cause my miscarriage, but it's the only way I can accurately describe how it would feel if this business ever went away.
(Don't worry we aren't going anywhere.)
So coming out of last year, where in our household and in this business, we were counting saving every penny, looking for ways to reduce costs and navigating the complications caused by a global pandemic-I've realized that I'm still operating from a place of fear.
We are still dealing with the impact of the pandemic on our material and production and shipping costs. Unfortunately, some of these effects will be permanent.
BUT that’s life.
When we’re faced with challenges, we cannot allow ourselves to be defeated.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7
We can allow the fear to hold us back or we can ask our God, Our Heavenly Feather to fill us with a portion of His Almighty Power so that we can be the strong and courageous woman He has called us to be.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9
Father,
I know You are our protector. Your Word tells us that You do not give us a spirit of fear, but instead a sound mind. We ask that You strengthen our minds today, that You transform our fears into FAITH and help us be more God-confident and daring in all that we do. Help us to use our concerns as insight that direct us in our choices and plans and not as things we let overwhelm us and knock us off the path where You want us to go. We trust You to protect us as we leap, to clear a path as we run as we stay within Your hedge of protection and keep moving forward.
May we not allow the thing we have been through to become obstacles and stumbling blocks, but instead let them be markers along our race. Let them mark the things we have endured on our way to the prize. May we continue to fight the good fight, have faith and finish the race.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scriptures for reflection
Jamila is the founder of loved+blessed. On her personal mission to leave a legacy of encouragement, she blogs about her own life lessons with the hope that it will bring joy into others’ lives and help them find the courage to keep walking in faith knowing that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord. Read her testimony of how God turned her misery into ministry.
