“The cure for the fear of failure is failure in small enough doses that we build up an immunity to it.”- Mark Batterson
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.”- 1 John 4:18
Mark Batterson concludes Chapter 12 of Chase the Lion by offering his definition of faith:
- half of faith = learning what we don’t know
- the other half = unlearning irrational fears and false assumptions
In addition, Pastor Batterson notes, psychologists tell us we’re born with two fears- the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. Therefore, we learn every other fear. And that means every other fear can be unlearned. Faith, then, is the process of unlearning those fears.
Since true love leads to fearlessness, it’s God’s love that sets us free from the spirit of fear. Often God accomplishes this by bringing us face to face with our worst fears. Mark explains:
“He [God] graciously brings us back to the place of failure, and then He not only helps us pick up the broken pieces but He also put them back together again.”
As a result, lion chasers run toward the roar. Rather than seeking safety, Mark observes, lion chasers seek “situations that scare them to life.”
At National Community Church, they’ve inverted an old axiom: “Go. Set. Ready.” That’s because no one’s ever ready. Hence, the issues becomes willingness, not readiness.
In conclusion, Pastor Batterson outlines the role of faithfulness in this process:
“Faithfulness isn’t holding down the fort until Jesus returns. Faithfulness is taking back enemy territory by shining light in dark places.”
Today’s question: What Scriptures have helped you overcome the fear of failure? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The theory of compensation”
