I think it's relatively safe to say that everyone has a fear of something. Whether it's rational or not, it's normal to be afraid of something. Some people are afraid of animals like spiders or snakes. Some people are afraid of roller coasters or heights. And some people are afraid of crazy things like words or sounds. However, I think one of the most common, yet underestimated things that we humans can can be afraid of is fear itself.
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." - President Franklin D. Roosevelt
I never really understood what President Roosevelt was trying to say until this year [2016] started.
This year, 4 major things are happening, in this order:
1. I will finish my junior year of college and have a downhill fight to begin my last year.
2. I turn 21 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3. I will take the second most important test of my life, the LSAT or Law School Admission Test.
4. After having taken my LSAT, I will begin the application process to law school.
Now, ideally, two out of the four things on that list shouldn't be so scary (I'm talking about #1 and #2 here), but for me, I'm scared out of my mind. It's not that I don't want these things to happen; of course I do. But all these things mean that my dreams are finally beginning and I'm getting closer to achieving them. I dreamt of this year and all of those things since before I can even remember, and it always felt like I had so much time to prepare for all of them, but BOOM! 2016 is here along with the beginning of my future. I guess that's it. My future. The future can be a scary thing when you also have a fear of not living up to expectations....
For as long as I can remember, I have been known to be "that smart girl" or "the future lawyer" or "that little genius." I can assure anyone that's curious, I'm no genius and not even close. I am blessed with the knowledge, skills, abilities, and intelligence, that I do have and have acquired, but I'm no Einstein. With this, expectations for anything that I do are always through the roof. I'm expected to perform flawlessly in just about everything that I do. Having the pressure to be almost perfect all the time can get exhausting entirely too quickly. It makes me work all the more harder to do the best that I can in everything that I do. More bluntly, failure was never an option in my book. And I always wondered what would happen if I did fail at something.
Fear can be a funny thing. Fear can either destroy us or inspire us. It can either stop up from achieving our dreams or it can motivate us to move past our potential and realize our dreams. Personally, I think you can experience both. I think you can become so afraid that you almost let your fears stop you from doing something great but then let that fear motivate you and inspire you to achieve something so much better than you thought you could. I think that's the funny thing. How can something that is portrayed to be so negative have such a simultaneous positive impact on our lives? Stepping out into the unknown can be scary but it can also be exciting and inspiring. Taking the next step into greatness should be scary. We should be excited, don't get me wrong. But stepping up to the next level, having to be all the more better...that's scary. I'll say it again....
I'm scared out of my mind for the future, for the next step, for taking a leap into the unknown....
I'm scared to leave undergrad...
I'm scared to go to law school...
I'm scared of failing....
I'm scared of not measuring up to expectations...
I'm scared of the future and the unknown.
I'm just scared.
I thought to be afraid meant to be weak or inferior. But recently I've learned that being scared is normal. It's part of that inspiration process that has led so many to greatness. Letting fear inspire you is one of the greatest experiences and advantages you can have. Overcoming any adversity that comes with fear is another step in growing and becoming who we were meant to become.
4 verses come to mind when it comes to fear:
1 John 4:18 - "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear...The one who fears is not made perfect in love." ~ for trusting that there will never be anything bigger that God cannot handle.
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." ~ for knowing that God is protecting us through the process.
Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go." ~ for remembering that God is walking with us the entire day and won't fail us.
Isaiah 41:10 - "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
~ for peace, confidence, and knowledge that even in our times of fear, God will give us the strength we need to take that leap of faith and trust that he will hold us, always ~
Taylor J.
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