What I'm Learning About Faith + Fear

Here's one fear I had to surrender in my business recently: fear of failure.

It's getting hard. You don't need me to tell you how hard things are for many of us right now. But as an entrepreneur, it is getting really hard. Despite the pressure I have felt surrounding my stationery brand closing, I have also stepped out in faith towards a new brand I feel called to create.

The big question remains, however: what if I fail?

If I step back and look at it differently, I may argue that by worrying about failing before I even try, I'm already sealing the fate of my business before I make the first move.

Let's explore it differently. Let's say you come to me and say to me: Shonda, I feel led to launch a new brand within my business, but I'm just worried now is not the time.

I would ask you why you feel now is not the time.

You may tell me it's due to the state of the world, or the upfront investment, or simply not knowing where to start. 

And I would encourage you to look at it from a different perspective. Look at what is before you. What do you currently have that you can use to get started vs what you need to bring it to fruition?

Together, we would dissect every facet of this plan before coming up with a new plan that eases your mind, squashes your fears, and helps you step out in faith to do the thing you feel called to do.

Sounds simple enough, right? Sure...if I were you. But I'm me. So why is it so hard for me to follow my own advice sometimes?

The answer is simple...faith.

It's not that I lack faith, it's that sometimes the logical part of my brain overrides the spiritual side of my reasoning. 

Faith doesn't cancel out fear either. Just because I have strong faith doesn't mean that I'm not afraid. What it does mean, however, is that faith carries me through my fear when I step out in faith.

Key words - step out in faith.

Action = faithful obedience. 

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” —‭‭Psalms‬ ‭56‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

You do not need to feel fearless to walk in faith. You just need to take the next step.

What step are you afraid to take right now?

Don't overthink it, just do it. Take that step right now.

With Grace, Shonda Ramsey