I grew up a bit shy. If you asked me, I liked to call myself more of a listener. Those closest to me were the only ones who got to see that I actually did have a lot to say. As I grew older and frequently self-reflected, I realized that it wasn’t always my choice to stay reserved, but rather fear making the decision for me.

I began to notice when I turned down opportunities to meet people, try new things, or really do anything outside of my comfort zone. I began to notice all of the times I was saying “no”.

Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

When I read this verse, over and over again, I realized I had been missing something seemingly obvious. I was not living a life that reflected the truth of those words. I remembered back to my early teen years, where at some point, fear started calling the shots.

I declined numerous opportunities that I could’ve grown through, whether that be with friends or any new experience that was presented to me. Maybe it was because I was afraid to fail, or perhaps because I didn’t know if I would like the outcome. Either way, it was my way of maintaining control of the situation.

Finally, I made the decision to believe that verse. I believed that the Lord was bigger than everything that scared me. I already had trust in the fact that He is who He says He is, so why shouldn’t I believe that He is always with me? If I could believe that simple truth, then fear would become irrational.

Once I adopted this mindset, I began to take every opportunity that I was presented with, even if it terrified me. Even when I knew I would be incredibly uncomfortable, I made it a priority to say “yes”. When I did that, not only was I exposed to a new fullness of life, but opportunities flooded in.

However, this didn’t come all at once. That’s the thing about fear, it’s sneaky. Half the time, we don’t realize how much of an influence it has on our daily lives. To see a change, I had to become mentally aware of when those anxious thoughts were present, and I had to intentionally press into God when they were.

It took practice and a conscious effort at first. I had to remind myself that I believe in the Lord’s truth and that I do in fact believe that He is bigger than everything that previously scared me.

This past year alone, in moments of God-given courage, I participated in my first month-long mission trip, ran a half marathon, joined my church’s student worship band, and attended various music-based auditions. With each experience, I was stretched miles beyond my comfort level. During this time, I actually felt less overwhelmed, and all the previous feelings of anxiety were eventually replaced by excitement. I found that my trust in the Lord grew, along with my love for people.

If you are like me, you know that life would be much easier if we could remain in our comfort zones, where the outcome can be easily predicted. It would also be much more stagnant, boring, and not to mention limiting on your potential. As cliché as it sounds, there is much more adventure when you choose to say yes to the unknown.

Acknowledging the discomfort, choosing to let it go, and trusting God can open up your life to literally anything. Let the Lord lead you. Even if it is scary, remember that He goes before you. I no longer put my trust in my own fleeting abilities, but rather in the constant strength and courage that the Lord provides.

When I do experience fear, I no longer dwell on it. I continue to find peace in the fact that He always brings me back to His reality, and shows me His truth, the real truth. And I choose to believe Him.

“For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does” Psalm 33:4