Fear of Failure

One of the biggest obstacles I face in life is fear of failure.  I want things to be just right so that things are done in the best possible way.  Unfortunately, no amount of planning and precautions will eliminate the risk of things not going exactly to plan.  Life happens and things change.  At times when I am waiting for the right opportunity to do or say something the opportunity slips through my fingers because of the fear of failure.  There won't ever be the exact right time where all things in the universe are aligned so that things go perfectly.

Most often I experience failure before I even set out to do or say what I want. I give up fighting before the fighting has begins!  I give into the anxiety and fears of the unknown.  Honestly trusting in myself is one of the hardest things I can do. Most people if they are honest with themselves will admit that trusting in themselves is something hard to do.  We best know our own hopes and dreams.  We also best know how we've tried to achieve those dreams and failed.  We don't like failing, cause it hurts.  When we are faced with our failures we are confronted by our limitations and inabilities.

So how do we overcome this fear?  How do we push on through life without the fear of failure?  Do we recklessly plunge into life ignorant of our limitations and the consequences of our actions?  Do we live immobile paralyzed lifestyles held captive by our fears?

I submit we do neither.  Rather than focusing on our ability or lack thereof we focus on the Sovereignty of a Holy and Righteous God.

God's word tells us a lot about His intents and purposes.  God's plans never fail.  His purposes are never thwarted.  God, our heavenly Father is a good Father who knows what His children need and has good plans for His people.  Rather than trusting in our limited ability and flawed judgement why don't we put our faith and trust for the decisions of our life in the One who's power knows no limits.  In the one who is the author of all knowledge (Gen 18:14, Ps. 115:3, 135: 6, Isa 46:10, Dan 4:35, Luk 1:37)?

Reflective Scripture:

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them

Proverbs 19:21
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 16:1-3
The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the spirit.
Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.

If we place our trust in God submitting ourselves to His plans and His desires we never need to live in fear of failure because God never fails.  His plans will always prosper and His purposes always accomplished.  The key to peace with the outcome of all our decisions and the circumstances of life lie in knowing that we have submitted our lives to Jesus Christ.  "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy(Col 1:16-18)."