Fear of the unknown can be paralyzing. It can make you want to hide away from the whole world, and it can freeze you from moving forward with the life God has planned for you. We tend to get comfortable in our comfort zones. Being content is okay—up to a point—as long as it doesn’t turn into your final resting place.
I knew what God wanted me to do, but at the time, I couldn’t go forward with it. I couldn’t proceed. I love God, and I have so much respect, appreciation, and gratitude for Him. Yet I felt this overwhelming sense of paralysis—gripped by fear.
Now, I know that feeling wasn’t coming from Jesus. If it’s something negative, something oppressive, there’s only one other source it could be coming from—and that’s the devil. Scripture says in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
I had to get to the root of that fear. I needed to understand what was causing it because, honestly, all I wanted to do was sleep. I didn’t want to think, feel, or deal with anything. I wanted to shut my mind off and just disappear into numbness. I even told God, “I don’t want to do this.” I was afraid.
Then God reminded me—with a vision—of Jonah, whose disobedience landed him in the belly of a whale. The next day, I received a message that said if we don’t use the gifts God has given us, we’ll lose them—and He will raise up someone else to do what we refuse to do so that His will will still be carried out.
That took on a whole new meaning for me: “If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.” It’s one thing to forget how to do something when you haven’t practiced it, but it’s another for God to remove a gift because you won’t use it for His glory. That realization broke my heart. I don’t want to disappoint Him. I want Him to be proud of me. I want Him to trust me to do what He’s called me to do.
If you want to read that story for yourself, you’ll find it in the Old Testament, in the Book of Jonah.
I prayed and asked God to help me figure out what I was really afraid of. He showed me—it was the unknown. I didn’t feel qualified. I was afraid of change. I was afraid of not being accepted, of being rejected. He showed me I was also afraid of stepping out alone. But then He spoke to my heart and reminded me: You are not alone.
He isn’t looking for someone who’s qualified—He’s looking for someone who’s willing.
He also showed me I was afraid of my own feelings because I feel everything so deeply. Sometimes it hurts to the very core of my soul—it’s not just emotional, it’s a physical pain. But He showed me that those feelings aren’t bad. In fact, they’re rare in today’s world. God told me that’s what helps me connect with others. That deep sensitivity—it’s a gift from Him.
I asked Jesus to help me. I asked Him to change my heart and align my desires with His. I asked Him to help me look forward to this new season, to get excited about it, and to embrace it with the same love and devotion He has for it.
If you’re going through something similar—if you can relate in any way—just know this: God is in it with you. He will make a way where there seems to be no way. He can and will help you transform your desires to match His. He can help you love the purpose He has designed specifically for you.
Let me share with you how I felt when I finally stepped into what He asked me to do. I felt freedom. I felt lighter. I felt peace. I felt happy. And I said to myself, “I can do this.” And I wondered why I ever let that four-letter word—fear—try to stop me in the first place.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
And so can you.
Whatever you feel God is leading you to, whatever your dream is, whatever talent, passion, or calling He’s placed in your heart—go for it. Step into it. He will guide you. You’re not alone.
God gives us dreams for a reason. They are not random. One day, each of us will be face to face with Him, and He’s going to ask us what we did with what He gave us.
What will you say?
Don’t be afraid to start pursuing your dreams and your God-given purpose. Don’t let fear rob you of what God wants to do through you. You’ve got this—because the One who has you is greater than anything that comes against you.
If you’re still breathing, it’s not too late.
Go make it happen.
Bring your dreams to life.
Someone out here needs it.
