There’s really only one thing holding you back from living out your best story: FEAR.
The fear that you’ll fail. The fear that you won’t add up. The fear that you’ll stall out. The fear that you’ll get beat. The fear that you won’t be first. The fear that nobody will get you. The fear that no one will listen….
Fear has a lot of outlets, but in the end, it’s still fear. And it always voices a pretty convincing argument. So, how do you beat it?
YOU DON’T.
Yeah.
Isn’t that comforting?!
The truth is, if you’re an artist of any breed or tribe, fear will always be a part of your art. It’s the fear that makes us vulnerable, and vulnerability births the most remarkable art that connects with souls and heartbeats.
We don’t get to beat fear, ever. But at the same time, fear doesn’t get to beat us. We have a choice to fight and wrestle fear into submission. And the way that we force fear into our corner is through stubborn persistence.
Fear held in submission can be a powerful thing.
It holds us in check by forcing us to articulate our motives for creating. It scrutinizes our work, making sure that we are offering our best effort. It refines our heart and callouses our nerves, pushing us to define the possibility of our passions.
Sure, fear may win an argument here or there. It may bring up a valid point or two when it shouts in our ears. But, it only wins when we give up and walk away.
Fear’s greatest fear is your stubborn persistence to keep going. To keep creating. To keep evolving. To keep churning out art. To keep trying. If fear is holding you back, know that you have a choice. A choice to sit back and fall in line; or a choice to stubbornly persist that a better story is possible. Beating fear is as simple and difficult as not giving up.
I think that it’s time to resolve to give fear something to fear. Comment below and tell me: What’s the one thing holding you back from chasing after your dream?
jake kaufman stories 
The fear of not being able to fundraise enough money to live on. I hate fundraising, and the thought of having to do it to live sucks, but that may be he only way I will be in college ministry full time. Challenging post, Jake!
Thanks, @Jason.
Fundraising can be lame, for sure. But if it helps you achieve your passion, stick with it and get creative. My biggest fear in fundraising isn’t asking for money, it’s that people won’t understand my passion. Be confident.
The fear that I’ll spin the wheels trying to make something of myself only to realize in the end that I didn’t get anywhere. I talked a big game but sat on the bench most of the time.
I use to be in the game – on the road; ministry was a way of life (It’s how I met you, Jake). Now that those parts of my life are over and considerably different, my fear is that I won’t be able to start something as successful. Everyone tells me that ‘those things eventually end’ and to get in line but I don’t feel like that is where I belong or that God wants me there. The fear dominates and restricts my faith that God can use me again.
@Jon,
Your best story isn’t behind you, but ahead of you. The past moments, memories, and summits are leading you somewhere. Maybe it’s a valley right now, but keep stubbornly persisting that something better is ahead. Uncover how your evolving passion is able to help the masses. I’ll be rooting for you.