Overcoming Fears & Living

There are two things I’ve always wanted to do, but at the age of 25 I still hadn’t done them yet. I had even gotten the opportunity to do one of them a few months back, but because of fear I chickened out.

I wanted to shoot a gun. Travis took me to a shooting range and I was excited to try it for the first time. But as soon as we got in the room, fear overtook me. I’m embarrassed to say so, but I didn’t even touch the gun that day. I waited in the car.

At the end of April, I went home to Indiana to spend a few weeks with my family while Travis was out in the field for training. During a family get-together, everyone decided to go out and shoot clay pigeons. They wanted me to join. I wanted to, but I also didn’t want to chicken out like I had done with my husband. My cousin Aubree and soon-to-be cousin Caitlyn were persistent in getting me to try it. My cousin Mitch taught me how to load the gun, hold the gun, turn the safety on and off, and recock the gun. Everyone was watching as I stood there trying to work up the courage to pull the trigger.

I’m not joking when I say we all probably stood there for five minutes straight. I would pull the gun up ready to go … and then put it back down afraid. Over and over I did that. I think everyone was probably ready to give up on me! But finally I worked up the courage, overcame my fear, and pulled the trigger. It wasn’t so bad!

I ended up shooting three different guns a couple different times that day. My fear of guns isn’t gone. And I think that’s good because I know to be careful with them. But my fear doesn’t stop me from safely shooting anymore.

That’s not the only scary thing I did while I was home! My brother and dad both recently got motorcycles. I’ve always wanted to ride on the back of a motorcycle, but I’ve never gotten the opportunity until now. It’s even on my bucket list!

Actually getting on the back of a motorcycle was scary though. I had a friend who died in a motorcycle accident and all I could think about was how easily he was here one minute and gone the next. I thought that taking the ride would be emotional, and I would possibly be petrified the whole time. But I overcame my fears, put the helmet on, and held on to my dad for dear life!

It actually wasn’t too bad. I didn’t get emotional, which I’m sure Dad was thankful for! I was nervous the whole time, especially during the curves. But I wasn’t as scared as I thought I would be. Once I actually got on and did it, the fear left. Of course, I was praying a lot as we rode too! 🙂

I’m so thankful that I didn’t let the fear of doing these two things keep me from actually doing them. I can think of many times in my life where fears could have kept me from doing something really awesome. Zip lining. White water rafting. Taking the job. Introducing myself.

I can also think of many times in my life where fears did keep me from doing something. I wonder if I had overcome those fears what wonderful things I could have experienced. In these two examples, I overcame my fears and I lived.

Don’t let fear have control over you, my friend. Live your life to the fullest. Be brave. Be strong. Trust in Him to take care of you. Be adventurous!

What is your biggest fear? What is something you would like to do but are scared to do it?