1 John 4:18

18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  
What do you fear most? As a business owner, speaker and a human being, there are times when I’m tempted to let my fears, insecurities and weakness stop me from doing big things. I think to myself, What?! Are you crazy? You can’t do that!
Like the first time I chose to call myself an author and a speaker… Who would believe that?
Or the first time I stood in front of an audience, hoping I could keep their attention for the next 45 minutes. What could I possibly have to say that they’d want to hear?
Or when I took a huge leap of faith to follow God’s prompting, even though it seemed like a ridiculously huge step to take. What if I fall flat on my face?
Or the first time I allowed myself to be vulnerable with a new friend or ask for help when I’m stuck with something. What if they won’t like me afterward?
We can always find something to be afraid of, if we allow ourselves to. Our limiting beliefs don’t come from our Heavenly Father though. He assures us that through Christ, all things are possible because of the strength He gives us.

So, where do these fears and limiting beliefs come from? They come from the One who fears our being made perfect in love; the One who knows he truly has no power over us. He can only manipulate us.
Our Heavenly Father is love perfected. When we step out in faith, trusting in the words of Phil. 4:13, He will drive away our fears. But we have to let Him.
If we cling to our fears because they are familiar and comfortable, we shortchange ourselves, and we fall short of the plan that God has for our lives.
Take that first step, not around your fears, but through them. Let Christ pour through your words, your actions and your everyday life, driving out fear and replacing it with perfect love.
It’s a choice, pure and simple. But one that’s hard to make, and life-changing once made.
I once heard someone talk about having to embrace your fears in order to get through them. I wasn’t certain at the time if I believed it or not. But having recently walked through multiple fear-filled choices, I can see now that the only way around fear is through it. Embrace it, consume it, acknowledge it, and then let it go. It will lose its hold on you as you pass through it.
It is only in this way that we can be made perfect, and our words will have the value God intended them to all along. Remember, God loves words. After all, His Son is The Word.