When an insect is buzzing around our head, what do we do? Swat! Smack! We do it almost instinctively without thinking. Today I read something that made me stop and think, why? Obviously we are afraid the insect is going to hurt us, so we start waving and smacking them away.
Could this instinctive behavior be an indicator of what we do in our lives? How many times do we push success, as well as people, away because we are afraid we will get hurt? Maybe, without even being conscious we are doing it.
“Millions of people are stuck on the verge of reaching their goals, can’t seem to scale the wall, and are struggling under a glass ceiling that is completely within their control, waiting to be removed.” Gay Hendricks; The Big Leap
Whether it be relationships, finances, or career, we get only so far and mess it up and find ourselves back where we started, or worse. Why do we get in our own way like this? Over the months of my journey I came to figure out that it always boils down to fear of loss. Subconsciously we know that if we have nothing to lose, it takes away the fear of getting hurt. Sad, but we do this. Kill the bee. Fear gone.
I had that attitude. I was so fearful of more loss that I stopped trying. It didn’t work. The fear didn’t go away. Five months later I was still waking up with it. I finally figured out the only way out of fear is through it. Face it, feel it, and finally fearing fear got old, and it went away. I was free. But what about the next time? Do I get as far as the glass ceiling, sabotage myself so I don’t gain anything significant to lose again? My answer is no. The only way to keep from traveling this horrible road again is to adopt the attitude that I will plunge in, go for the gold, and know facing loss is as much a part of life as breathing. I have learned that my reaction to fear and loss is the key to moving through it, not closing oneself off after going only 75% of the way. That can lead to a very frustrating existence.
Once you let yourself love 100%, through thick n’ thin, no matter what, life takes on new meaning. Starting with God. Once you give Him your entire existence your world changes. Once you are a vehicle for the spirit, loving people 100% becomes easier, fear and loss isn’t an issue because He, who knows all, is driving now. These days I literally “thank God” for that, because driving myself through life was exhausting and scary when I lost my way, but God’s GPS is always on.
And so, as another day goes by, “Jesus take the wheel” (and keep it), and …I have written.
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