Rashida Wright

“Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]” – Hebrews 11:1 AMP

The Frenemy of Fear

For me, last year was tough and I spent much of 2023 reflecting over the bad decisions I had made over the course of my lifetime. For me, reflection (or rumination depending on the day) tends to be an activity I induldge in when the stuff has hit the fan and I am attempting to dig myself out of the mess. As I looked at my decision making over the course of my 20s and into my 30s, I realized fear became a frenemy that had more influence over my life than I was comfortable with. While I have taken some interesting risks over the last decade and some change, I also lost out on some amazing opportunities, businesses and relationships because I was to afraid to go for it. Too afraid to fail, too afraid to fall in love, too afraid to get it wrong, too afraid of living my life. I’m not sure if it’s because of experiences, lived or witnessed over time that has kept me from experiencing more life.

Fear is the hinderance of progress. It keeps you second-guessing what God has for you, what He’s capable of doing through you and is a direct helper in self-sabotage. It keeps you standing by the fence when you could be frolicing in the fields. And some may argue that there is a place for fear, but the Word is also clear in 2 Timothy 1:7. God did not give us a spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind.

What If I Don’t?

This year, I promised myself I would not let fear and pride stop me from doing the things I know God has led me to do. I watched a video from Erin on Demand on YouTube, a fairly popular creator, and she said the question she asks herself when she is doubting her ability to do something is “What if I don’t?” So that is the question I have been posing to myself this 1st quarter. What if I don’t start the blog? What if I don’t start the YouTube channel? What if I don’t go out with the guy? What if I don’t send that email? What if I don’t show up as my authentic self? The only way to find out what is on the other side is to practice what I recite to others, and believe that Christ has empowered me to do what I cannot in my own strength.

Being Who He Called You to Be

We have such a limited time here on Earth. We are filled with all these dreams, goals and visions and how many to we actually realize? I want to look back on my life and know that I did the things I was asked to do. Not what I was comfortable with. Not what OTHERS were comfortable with me doing. But the things that I can look back on and know that God was proud and I was proud of me too. So for the rest of the year, that will be my focus. Having the faith to believe I can do the hard, stuff. The stuff that makes me cringe a little, the things that could actually transform me and change my life for the best. I am choosing real faith in this time of my life and I choose to laugh at the face of fear as I embark on this journey God has called me to. I really hope, if you’ve been anything like me, you will choose to do the same.

With Love,

❤️

Rashida