For the Creative Soul > Fear Factor
Eric Copeland

"We have nothing to fear but fear itself"
- Franklin D. Roosevelt

"You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith."
- Mary Manin Morrissey

"Danger is my - middle name"
- Austin Powers

Just a few of the great people who have spoken of fear and danger.

But what of that great paralyzing fear that the thing you need to, want to, and know it's your destiny to do is WAY too scary to do. What if something goes wrong, or (gasp!) you fail?

That thing that has been on your mind for a while now is there for a reason.

Have you given it the Creative Soul "30 Day" test? Let it stew and sit and make sure it wasn't some flighty, stupid idea?

Ok, so you know it's the right thing. All signs point to it. The only way it would become more clear is if God opened the heavens and said "NOW. DO IT. I COMMAND YOU. AND BY THE WAY YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THE BIBLE EVERY NOW AND AGAIN!"

But when you try to make a step, the doubts wash in. You can't do it. You're too old. You're not talented enough. You're too busy with your kids and spouse and work. No one would understand. The Fall TV season is starting.
Hey the Apprentice is on!!!

How in the world can you fight all that AND The Donald?

Well, kings more mighty than Trump have fallen before God. And they had better hair.

Here's my Top Ten List for Beating Fear. Try these when fear creeps in.

10. Pretend for a moment that all the things that are impossible for you, are possible.

There's a Lexus ad I swore I wouldn't use because it's so corny, but here goes. "Set your speed on the impossible, and never let off the accelerator."

I think the thought there is (who can tell with Lexus?), if you set out to do what you know you CAN'T do, and never quit, you'll be surprised what can happen.

9. Get help. Not that you're sick or anything, but let help in. Quit trying to get around the problem yourself. Your inner demons are keeping you from getting past this!

8. Accept help. When God sends someone with an answer that makes sense, take it to heart and follow it. If you need to ask a few people if the advice is solid, then get wise counsel. But take the help that's offered.

7. "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming." Dory from Finding Nemo's enduring anthem has captured our family. We sing it all the time.

Listen, if you even have a glimmer of talent, it will be an up and down rollercoaster to be happy using it your whole life. It goes with the territory. Get used it it. Keep swimming.

6. Give yourself a break. Don't beat yourself up when you can't get past a hurdle.

5. Take setbacks in stride. God is bigger than any problem. It may not seem like it at the time, but you will look back and see a reason for the setback.

4. Know you're not alone. We all have or are right now facing a decision that is scary as heck. People will be affected by the decisions we make.

Money is an issue. Family is an issue. But I and almost every person who reads this have been in your shoes. Email us and you'll see.

3. Join in community. Get on into an online group like Christian Artists Group or Creative Worship Teams, or something else. Share your thoughts with a group and get feedback.

2. When in doubt, dive on in. Be courageous. Be brave. Be a little reckless.
Like David, have the heart of a lion.

1. Just do it. You don't have to where Nikes, but you do have to step out there and do it. You've heard it before: If you never get out and do it, you will always regret it.

Ephesians 6
19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

© 2004 Eric Copeland