What is fear? Fear is a person's belief that someone or something can cause emotional or physical harm. Fear can be looked at in a variety of ways — from vicious spiders to the fear of loneliness or a broken heart. We create fears to keep us safe. Developing safe-zones for ourselves is all well and good until it keeps us from experiencing all that life has to offer.
Do you fear anything? Of course you do. Everyone fears something. The people who say they are fearless are just good at hiding it. Fears can keep you from your dreams and happiness. It can slowly tear you down on the inside until it eventually paralyzes you. Fearing someone or something is natural, and sharing your fear can be beneficial. The pending dilemma is whether you are willing to admit what your fear is.
I am sure that most people, when asked what their biggest fear is, withhold the truth. I'm not saying that they lie, but due to the assumption that they're being judged, they quickly blurt out something that they are just scared of. There is a difference between being scared and fearing. Being scared is the anxious or nervous feeling you receive when you are confronted with someone or something you are not yet comfortable with.
Be honest — who actually wants to admit their biggest fear? I know I don't. When anyone asks me what my biggest fear is, my first instinct is to say heights or bodies of water. Heights are scary, at least to me. I don't ride roller coasters, I don't plan on skydiving and I haven't ridden an airplane since I was a toddler. Massive amounts of water are also scary because I can't swim, which makes chilling in the pool difficult. Although I am tremendously scared of heights and water, they are not my biggest fears.
Before admitting my biggest fear, I want to mention something that I am totally comfortable with that most people fear: Failure. I don't mind failing. When you fail, you learn from your mistakes and it encourages you to do better the next time. Also, my failures inspire me as well as others. As an influential person in some people's lives, it shows that I am imperfect and that I am not afraid of taking risks. Failing at something shows that I put my all into something, without regret. Failure strengthens me to lead to a greater success. Success is more complicated than failure, and that is what frightens me.
My biggest fear is succeeding. Who fears success, right? My fear of success has to do with letting success turn me into something I am not. I fear that success will bring me frustration as I climb the ladder of success. I fear that success will bring me to continually lash out at the people who I love most, causing me to lose them. I fear success will force me to make a decision between holding onto my values and beliefs and earning the job promotion. I fear that success will become an addiction, something that I won't want to live without.
As far as I can remember, I have always been my own person, but I fear that success changes people. And I don't want to be successful if it changes who I really am. Although I am confident in the person I am, I have a constant battle with myself about whether or not I am making smart decisions for my future. I often have to take a step back and remember that, regardless or what happens, I will be OK; that as long as I follow God, He won't steer me wrong.
I revealed what my biggest fear is because I want everyone else to be comfortable admitting theirs. Yes, saying your biggest fear aloud to someone can be embarrassing or awkward, but I promise it lifts a heavy load off of you. And it will make you feel better because you will have someone to talk with and hopefully help you overcome your fear.
