Sometimes we are being pushed out of our comfort zone and often think fear is telling us to pull back. But in reality it’s a signal to move forward, push through the fear and jump.

I have been acknowledging my uncomfortable feelings these past weeks. At times I almost feel paralyzed by fear and anxious thoughts. Have you ever felt this way afraid, nervous and excited all at the same?

It’s an uncomfortable feeling.

And often we judge ourselves for being afraid of our next big step. We have this misconception that fear is telling us “not” to do it.

Well, the good news is that fear is just a natural emotion that means you are stretching yourself out of your comfort zone. Being stretched is uncomfortable in the physical and the natural. Growing and expanding beyond where I have been comfortable for some time now.

Fear is a normal part of life, but it is an emotion we must control before it conquers us.

Writing for Proverbs 31 Ministry, Bobby Schuller says:

“Fear is a harmful voice we need to bring to the surface, think about, feel and give to the Lord.”

It’s similar to how a beginner skydiver must feel the first time he steps into the doorway of a plane before the jump. Often our fear is fueled when we feel vulnerable. The most vulnerable part of skydiving is getting into position to jump.

I was reading a blog post a few weeks back, where the writer’s mother wanted to check something off her bucket list.  Her mother is 78 years old and she wanted to go sky diving.  Everyone tried to talk her out of it but she went ahead and did it anyway. I am sure she had to conquer some fear before she stepped out of the plane for the first time, or at the very least her family did.

In movies I have seen a red light starting to flash signaling it is time for the person to parachute from the plane. Interestingly enough when you skydive someone actually pushes you out.

This explains the feeling of apprehension when we get closer to the edge. We are anticipating what is coming. Our emotions are warning us that we are about to do something we have never done before.

We are leaping out of our comfort zone and all we need is that final push over the edge.

Let go and enjoy the experience.

The fear lies in the thoughts that something could go wrong. It lies in the shadowy “what if”s.” What if the parachute doesn’t open. What if I forget how to land.

What has brought this on for me. Changes in our lives and new direction where we are getting closer to some of the things God has called us to do. And, I am scared!

Some days, I can barely move and take care of the day-to-day basics, dishes, groceries and laundry.

I was encouraged by what Karen Ehman, another Proverbs 31 writer has to say about fear:

“Fling wide open the doors of our hearts, let His words sink deeply into our souls and courageously trust Him with the future.”

Moving into new venues and circumstances can be unnerving. After 40 years it feels like we’re at the edge of fulfilling things God called us to years ago.

But during these times, God is with us. He is at our side whispering in our ear:

‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10 NASV)

Are we going to believe these words as the Lord gently pushes us out of the plane?