I recently read a story about a woman who was afraid to jump off a cliff as part of a thrill-seeking group activity. The thought of jumping off anything, let alone a cliff, sends terror chills down my spine. You can read the story here.
Since childhood, I have had a fear of leaping off into the unknown. It could either be a fear of failure or heights. I remember playing the game “Trust” and being asked to fall backward into a friend’s arms. Well, I couldn’t do it, never could. My knees would buckle and then I’d freeze.
The same goes with God’s calling on my life. I tend to dig my feet into the ground, question him relentlessly, and then freeze. I did it right before launching Show Me Your Ears, and again with Stop Hearing Loss Bullying. The message was simple: Just do it. But I hesitated, doubted, worried if I was doing the right thing.
Do you have a fear of challenges…of falling?
How do you take the first step into the unknown? Lipreading Mom would love to read your comments.
Lipreading Mom 
I can SO relate to your fear of following God into the unknown!! I think the first thing I do is pray, that the Lord confirms in my heart and spirit His calling for me. Then pray that HE will give me the strength and direction, one baby step at a time, to accomplish what He has called me to do. Sheer trust in HIM gets me going on the journey. 🙂
Elaine – Thank you for sharing about your experience. It is comforting to know you can relate to my story. Blessings on your writing ministry!
When I became so ill, the fear became worse. What if I had another anaphylactic reaction? What if I didn’t survive the reaction? I finally had to put everything into God’s hands and hope for the best. I no longer am afraid of dying. I have a quote on my bulletin board here in the office by Margaret Shepherd–“Sometimes the only available transportation is a leap of faith”.
Kathryn – You are so very wise. Thank you for the inspiring quote.
Your blog reminded me of one of my favorite quotations – from Edward Teller, a nuclear physicist: “When you get to the end of all the light you know, and it’s time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.”
Love this quote, Arlene!
Here’s a quote that addresses this quite eloquently –
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
– Edward Teller
I am stealing this quote, Arlene. Thank you for it!