14May
Uncertainty often leaves us starring at threats like a deer in the headlights. On the many occasions that we find ourselves confronted by an unanticipated and unfamiliar setting, freezing up is common. Why do we stare blankly at choices? I contend that the most frequent reason is fear of failure.
The fear may be rooted in inexperience. That fear may be the realization that there is a potential for significant loss. When we have been adequately trained for an impending threat, we may freeze for a moment, after which many people describe, “I was frozen with fear, but then my training kicked in, and I just went to work,” resulting in success.
Often, as we face a daunting task for which we are unprepared, we will do nothing. Oddly, we assure failure by attempting nothing out of fear of failure. I have too many memories of my football coaches quizzing me about my inaction. Their advice, “Lawler! Hit somebody! Anybody, don’t just stand there!” You know, I never got in trouble for hitting the wrong person.
Of course, I am not encouraging you to hit somebody. That is only for football games. But I would like to remind us all to take our best shot when uncertainty shuts us down. If we allow inexperience to dictate threat levels, we will find ourselves fearing shadows. Proverbs 22:13 chides for letting unjustified fear of failure keep us from attempting to do what is right. “There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!” (NIV) A lion in the public square was a highly unlikely threat. Remember, not trying guarantees failure. Our best effort, even in uncertainty, increases our odds of success by 100%!
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