Prior to purchasing Ruby (my car), I decided to pay for lessons to learn how to drive. Now, anyone who knows me knows how intensely terrified I was of driving–this is no exaggeration! Why was I so afraid of driving you ask? A seed had been planted in my head years ago, that drove me to believe that I’d be a terrible driver. While helping my father work on his car, I’d made a small error and rather than simply teaching me the correct way, he yelled at me and told me that I should never get behind the wheel of a car because I’d “kill everyone by stepping on the gas like that!” This may seem silly…clearly my father was irritated and said those words out of anger–why would I internalize them so much? Whether it was intentional or not, those words resonated with me for years! For years I was terrified of learning how to drive and allowed this fear to prevent me from even trying…
While driving my mom home from work yesterday, she looked over at me and said, “Look at you, the girl who wouldn’t even sit in the driver’s seat…maneuvering her way down Flatbush Avenue!” We then went on to further discuss how crazy it was for me to be so afraid of this simple thing. I allowed a comment that was made years ago, stop me from learning something new. Metaphorically, my fear of driving paralyzed me. When I finally got my license at the age of 27, I felt freedom! I was eventually able to purchase my first car, I picked up multiple tutoring jobs outside of my neighborhood because I was now able to travel farther distances, I could spend more time with my family because lugging myself on the train and bus was no longer a concern…there were so many new doors that opened up for me. All because I let go of that fear!
How often do we allow fear to paralyze us?! I’ll answer that–way too often! I know my driving analogy isn’t as serious as some of the real serious situations that we encounter in life, but when you really think about it, the same idea applies…We are afraid of the unknown, buy into the belief that we are incapable, and allow the fear of failure prevent us from taking risks and ultimately living life! One of my favorite verses in the Bible is 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” This verse gets me so excited! When you really think about its message–we were not created to be confined and limited by fear, but to live our lives boldly–knowing that in Him, all things are possible! I encourage you today to be bold and not let fear hold you back from accomplishing your goals, chasing your dreams, or even trying out something that you’ve always wanted to do! Walk through doors and take on new experiences. Refrain from living in fear and choose to walk in faith!
Stay Connected!
Subscribe to receive notifications of new posts by email!
If you know anyone suffering with Lupus and/or any other “Invisible Disease”, please feel free to share with them directly!
Copyright ©2017 Joezette Joseph. All Rights Reserved.
Joezette's Journey: My Everyday Walk With Lupus 
Yes! Our God is not a god of fear. What a great reminder that what we say affects others–especially what parents say. The Bible has a lot to say about “the tongue” and all of it hits home to me. This is a great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow… I enjoyed reading this. I was just thinking about this today
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Tiana! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for reading–please keep in touch!☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will…and hope to read more enjoyable articles by you
LikeLike
Hi Joezette,
I know Shannon from Showers of Blessings.
Thank you for following my blog Reflections, but I have not blogged at Reflections in almost 2 years. There are over 600 articles at my current site MostlyBlogging.com and many of free perks awaiting you if you follow me over to MostlyBlogging.com. I also host 10 blogging events each month where you could meet new readers. Looking to see you at MostlyBlogging.com.
Janice
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh awesome Janice, thank you for sharing! I will definitely check it out😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exciting! I will look forward to your visit! Thank you for your reply!
Janice
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊😉
LikeLike
I like this statement: Be Bold. To me on life I have always felt as a man perspective fearful of things when times I wanted to confront a person after talking about me I begin to get rolled up in this shell and just don’t say anything. And that right their I feel I need to let that go and be bold to express my thoughts and speak my mind, but be respect in a way it doesn’t come across a person as being rude or Violent.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Johnny! I definitely hear you….Self-expression can be sooooo challenging. I encourage you to start finding your voice in the small situations and then work your way up to bigger ones. I usually spend time thinking about what I want to say before I say it…this way I practice perspective taking and sensitivity. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m the say way. Because I don’t want it coming out the wrong way. So I truly understand exactly what you are talking about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely makes a difference in communication 😅
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it does.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How often we internalize certain things from our parents! And it’s always the weirdest things, too! I’m so sorry you had a fear of driving, but good for you for conquering it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s so true! It’s helped to make me a bit more conscious of the words that come out of my mouth. I hope I don’t put my future children through the same thing! Thanks so much for reading!<3
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post. It is so nice to meet you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much! And thank you for reading!! Please keep in touch!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We sure will Joezette.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Losing a fear is a grand thing. Being allowed to try to lose their fear is a huge step as well. Knowing I cannot do something because it is too scary and then having someone help me to attempt and I succeed. Completely empowering.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I 100% agree with you!! I think this is my first time experience that kind of empowerment💪🏾
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are right. Sometimes our parents themselves have made us cowards by punishing us without rhyme or reason. I am one such victim.
LikeLiked by 3 people
TRUE. I never attempted to sing in the choir because mom said I was tone deaf (she was a music major). However, I played flute (badly, practicing was never my favorite thing) and could identify notes. I will go off key musically, but I always know it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Kris, thank you for reading! Sorry to hear that you never joined choir–was it something that you really hoped for? It’s unfortunate how we often allow someone else’s words to impact our actions–in the small and big things!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had tried to respond on my ipad and it wasn’t working. Choir was for the cool kids, but I was friends with many of them. I thought it would be fun, but I never ever ever tried out. Because I was afraid. And because mom was always right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awe I’m sorry to hear that. I think one of the biggest takeaways is when/if we have kids, to encourage them and push them to their greatest potential!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is very true! I’m sorry to here that this has impacted your life😔 Hopefully you can overcome this!🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are very right about the impact that our parents’ words can have on us–even when it’s unintentional! I hope you were able to move past that<3 Thank you so much for reading!
LikeLike
I need to read this every day, as a reminder. 🙂
(I used to be scared of driving, too!)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Omg really?! I’m not alone!!!haha. I was so bad Amy! So glad we both got over it!! Thank you as always for your support 🤗❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤ 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you! My grandpa tried to teach my grandma how to drive, but he startled her when he yelled at her for something and she drove into a potato patch (on the south side of Chicago, which tells you how long ago that was!) She never drove again, and lived to age 88 while taking streetcars, buses, and getting rides from others. But you’ve overcome your fear with God’s help and now you’re encouraging others. That’s wonderful!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh man, that’s so unfortunate Claire!! It would’ve been awesome for her to get out there and experience the freedom of road travel. I hope that others can be inspired to try, even the “little” things! Thank you for reading!!❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so happy that you became free of that fear. And lovin’ that you named your car Ruby. 😀 Thank you for the encouragement. I’ve had very similar experiences.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Me too!!! It was so debilitating–not even funny! Ridiculous actually…I have to keep reminding myself of all the good that came out of me taking that jump and learning so I continue to do the same when other fearful situations arise! Thank you so much for reading!<3
LikeLiked by 1 person