As coaches, we support and encourage our clients toward achieving goals in areas where they feel stuck. Many times the reason for feeling stuck is “fear.” Fear of failure, fear of not being sure the timing is right, fear of rejection, and so many other self-sabotaging beliefs are holding them back. Some even fear success.
It is in these moments, however, that our courage and faith are our most important assets. As the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:7, “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. “
God has given us the tools we need to accomplish our goals. They’re already inside us – built in to our spirits, just as Paul writes. And every day some of us use these gifts to our maximum potential, while others may be hesitant to even give them a test drive.
Why though? Do we fear what might happen if we fail? Failure is the road we walk along the way to our destination of success. I imagine that every successful person met failure first before they ever met success. Remember Edison? He failed 10,000 times before he made the electric light! Do not be discouraged if you fail a few times.
So if you feel God has put a path before you, just as he did for Moses out of Egypt, there is no reason to fear that path, even if you meet failure along the way; the path before you is not yours alone to walk.
Other relevant scriptures on fear and courage:
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. “Psalm 31:24
“When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. Psalm 56: 3-4
“The Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God. “ Deuteronomy 7:21
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. “ Philippians 4:13
What are the fears, self-sabotaging beliefs, gremlins, attitudes, and lies that your client is facing?
Here are a few questions to go deeper when a client faces fear.
You mentioned fear several times. What does this fear feel like to you?
When have you felt fear in your past and overcame it?
When you search deeply, where do you feel this fear is coming from?
What role does your faith play when you are facing fear? (fear vs faith comparison – fear paralyzes and faith mobilizes)
How do you feel when there is NO fear? Where does this strength (confidence) come from?
What are you afraid of?
What is the payoff for you not to take action?
What are you resisting?
What is the lie?
What would it look like to move toward the fear?
What is it to surrender?
How willing are you to commit to take action?
Who will support and hold you accountable?
What if…
Imagine you have achieved your goal. What does this look like?
What might you do that is outside your comfort zone that might get you closer to your goal?
A possible homework assignment:
Identify 5 scriptures that you can mediate on when you feel fear. After you read the scriptures, meditate on them, and journal to see what bubbles up…
