Fear of failure

I had a nightmare last night, one that I’ve had a number of times before. I was preparing to do an
AV presentation, and things were not working, the projector was not bright enough, the screen was too small for the size audience, the cords were not connecting properly, and I was in a panic. It was almost time for the show to start and I was not ready. I got up and talked to Sherelene over breakfast about the dream, one that I’ve had many times before. She said it was a “fear of failure”. I would like to reject her insight, but I know she is right.

Over the weekend I watched the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony. One of the players inducted was the legendary Jerry Rice. Jerry Rice is without question the greatest receiver to ever play the game. His statistics will probably never be matched or exceeded. In his acceptance speech he said that his success was almost entirely because of his fear of failure. He just didn’t want to let his father, his mother, his coaches and his fans down. He was driven to perfection by the need for their acceptance.

I plead guilty. You probably do too. We all desire to be accepted and needed, and the world tells us that if we do not exceed the standard we will not get that acceptance. The truth is we can never be beautiful or handsome enough, or thin enough, or smart enough, or talented enough, or outstanding enough to command the love and acceptance from others that we need and desire.

There is an answer. We already have all the validation we need, but we sometimes fail to know it.
Jesus died for you and I. He loves us so much, just as we are, that He was willing to accept the punishment for everything we ever did wrong. He took our criticism and He suffered our pain of not being accepted. He took up our case and accepted all the downsides of being us. Then He died so that we would be spared the ultimate punishment of sin, death.

When He rose from the dead, He brought us back to life with Him. He gave us the fresh start we need. Now you and I are completely accepted and loved. We don’t have to earn it, it is a gift. We are now free to be the best that we can be, not to gain acceptance, but to celebrate the completeness of the life we have been given. Praise God!!!!!!!

In real life, I don’t worry about the cables connecting or the projector being bright enough. I make reasonable preparation, and then I trust Him with the rest. In my waking hours, the worst fears of my dreams don’t happen. What does happen is feeling of peace and joy, a sense of things being good and secure. That is what it feels like to walk side by side with Him………

John 15:1-8 (New Living Translation)
   “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

Today’s Prayer: Father, please keep me close to you so that I may bear your fruit.

the pilgrim

*Photo note: Old house in North Carolina, D700, 24-70 AFS lens.