I’m not a big fan of fear. In fact, I’m not too sure who is. I would guess the people who like to eat worms on reality TV show might get an adrenaline rush or two from doing the unusual; however, I’d hedge my bets they have fears too. People like that are probably afraid of common things – like tablecloths or sheets.
Endeavoring to pay off debt requires you to face your fear and stare it down. At the start of our journey of paying off $127K, I was afraid of oh so many things. Probably what haunted me the most was that we would not be successful in our efforts. I feared that once again, we would try to be intentional only to fall off of the wagon. Or that we would be discouraged and give up as quickly as we started. What was the point of even trying?
But never crossing the starting line? To me, it’s worse than failing because it indicates that fear controls you more than you realize.
Don’t get me wrong, fears keep us from doing stupid stuff – like jumping off of the house or putting our hand into a fire. Sometimes fear is healthy. But if we’re honest, the majority of the time, fear is a roadblock, preventing us from the really good stuff in life. Our goals, our dreams, our deep God-given desires are often shelved because we began to worry about what could happen or what people will think or worst of all how we would feel if things didn’t work out.
So we never try.
Stare fear in the face today. Tell fear that its excuses are not welcome. Don’t just sweep fear under the rug where it will creep back in when you’re at your most vulnerable. Move it out the door and give it a firm kick in the pants. Fear is not welcome in your finances. Fear is not welcome in your home. Fear is not welcome in your heart.
I’m claiming this verse for both of us today:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Breathe in a deep and cleansing breath and then face the fear. Open the spreadsheet. Have the difficult conversation. Cast the big and beautiful dream of being debt free. You can do it, friend.
Cross the starting line.
Gain inspiration to pay off debt! Check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free
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Thank you. I needed to read about fear today and agree 100% that it keeps us from doing what we are supposed to do. I memorized 2 Timothy 1:7 when I was younger and will claim that today, fear does not come from the Lord! Thanks for sharing and not being fearful!
It’s my joy to share encouragement. So glad I wrote that post so that you could get a lift. 🙂
I’m so thankful to have discovered your site! I am a spender, wanting to transform myself into a frugal mama. I feel overwhelmed (and, yes, scared) with the thought of changing so many habits! Little “luxuries” that add up… trips to Starbucks, extra things in the cart at Target, that new craft thing with the 40% off coupon at JoAnn’s. But as you wrote above, fear is a roadblock, and God promises me a life abundantly beyond what I can ask or imagine. I’m ready to get out of my own way and let go! Thank you for writing this and for your amazing site.
YIKES! I just saw your comment. Thank you for your kind words. I really hope this post has given you a little oomph in your journey. You CAN do it. 🙂