Facing Fears and Embracing Courage During Life Transitions
- Tea Deak
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
When I was six, my father taught me to swim during a family vacation at the Adriatic Sea. As we were playing, he suddenly tossed me into the deep water and turned his back, walking away. I panicked and shouted at him while frantically swimming toward the shallower area of the beach. When I challenged him about not informing me of his unconventional teaching approach, he replied, "I was confident you could manage it. Now you see that you can swim." This experience was the first of many steep learning curves for me. I've been thrown into the deep end numerous times since. If you're someone who's learning something new but feels fearful and keeps asking, "What if...," today's blog post is for you.
"What if..." scenarios often serve as mental preparations for potential negative outcomes that an individual may find challenging to confront and is attempting to avoid. Some examples of these questions might include:
What happens if I have an emotional breakdown?
What if my spouse leaves me?
What if I lose my job or income?
What if World War III begins?
…
While "what if questions" can be helpful in preparing someone for future challenges, they frequently trap individuals in endless loops of fear, hindering progress. Steep learning curves often highlight the importance of learning to let go of control over the situation. Certain lessons can only be learned through experiencing challenges, like swallowing water while learning to swim. Through the process, we discover that obstacles are mental rather than external. If we happen to swallow some water in the deep end, we'll endure and gain knowledge from the experience. Such experiences are more than learning opportunities; they impart knowledge, improve our skills, and impart confidence, strength, and courage.
Courage is not an absence of fear, but an ability to face and overcome fears. It involves taking risks and learning to navigate negative outcomes. We learn from experiencing negative outcomes. Sure, they are risky and tricky, but they are also an opportunity for growth. They are meant to be a divine process for maturity and character development. Sometimes such opportunities come in the form of a steep learning curve, and other times it might involve taking one step at a time. It all depends on our ability to take as much as we’re able or willing at the time.
What fears are you encountering during this transition? Try to recognize them and work through them with journaling and prayer. By identifying your fears, you can apply courage and find a solution to your current challenge. What risks are you facing that demand courage? The larger the risks, the more surrender is needed, and it will be like learning to swim in deeper waters. Consider whether you’re prepared for the deep end or prefer to take it one step at a time.
If you need prayer support for the challenge you are facing, feel free to send me a message, and I’d be happy to pray for you.
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