I know that at times, fear comes upon you. But, I want you to know that you are not alone. I want you to know that even in those times when you feel gripped with fear, when it is surrounding you on all sides, that it is still possible to move forward. It is still possible to take that leap of faith. It is still possible to fly.

And I want you to know that it will always be worth moving forward.

I struggle with anxiety. What’s more is that my brain is conditioned to act a certain way when I am around other people. I have to be intentional in the way I interact, because if I don’t, then my brain defaults back to what I know, to the way the anxiety would have me interact. I have to have a plan for how I will act, because if I don’t, I will again default to staying within my comfort zone.

But, here’s the thing about your comfort zone. It does not bring you happiness. Yes, it may temporarily relieve some discomfort, but in reality, it provides you with more discomfort because you did not achieve anything. You did not learn or grow or experience any change by staying in your zone. You did not experience anything.

Your comfort zone keeps you from really connecting with others. It keeps you from living a full, vibrant life. When you hold back from moving forward, you are holding back from living your life. When you hold back from being vulnerable with others, you are holding back from the deep joy that comes from connection.

Pushing through your fear and moving forward will bring you more joy than you can imagine. It will not be easy. There will be difficulties. That fear is there. But, you can change you thoughts around it all and through taking steps, both big and small, you will have more faith and you will see results.

Start with those smaller steps. Work on changing your thoughts about the situation you are in. Visualize how you want the situation to go. How would your best self move through the situation? Really think it through and then use affirmations to remind yourself that you can succeed.

Give yourself grace too, because sometimes it is hard to push past the defaults that our brain has. Celebrate each step forward, no matter how small.

For me, looking people in the eye and smiling at them as I walked passed, was a bold action for me. To another, it might not seem like anything, but to me, it was big. And it was not long, before I began to see the beauty in it. I began to have people smiling back at me. I began to have people say hi to me. And I began to develop a relationship with them. All because I was able to look at them and smile. To be open to having an interaction with them.

I wish that I could tell you that your worst fears will not come true. But, I cannot, there is a possibility that your worst fears will come true. But, I can tell you this, if you move forward, you will learn, you will grow, and if you continue to push through, even all the struggles that you face, you will fly.

And your worst fears can come true, whether or not you move forward. You will most likely fall even if you do not move forward. Wind will come, things will push against you, and some way or another you will be forced to face your fears. So why not try to fly? Why not move forward on your own terms? Why not act instead of react?

Everyone was once a beginner. Every one experiences struggles and set backs. You will not be an exception to that. But, it is okay. There are reasons that we experiences those struggles and setbacks. There are lessons to be learned, sometimes we must fall a little before we really fly.

And you are not alone. The Lord is always there, ready to catch you, ready to help you to get back up when you need it, ready to give you the strength to keep trying. Ilove Proverbs 3:5-6 that states, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, lean not unto thy own understanding, in all ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.”

It is through action that we show that we trust in Him. It is through moving forward and stepping outside our comfort zones that He is then able to direct our paths. For how can He direct us if we do not first take a step on the path?

We cannot do things perfectly the first time. And that is okay. The real beauty of flying comes from the struggle, from the growth and strength that we gain as we stretch out our wings. Because if it were easy, really easy, we would not enjoy it, we would not find it impressive. We would be disappointed and we would be left wishing for something more.

So, please don’t let the fail of failure hold you back. Don’t allow your anxiety to keep you from reaching out and feeling the joy from deep connection. There is such beauty in it.

And I promise you, that as you move forward, that as you keep trying, keep holding on to faith, that your faith will grow, that you will learn, you will grow, you will progress, and you will fly.

And you will find so much more joy.