Don’t be Comfortable with Your Fears

A heart gripped with fear is a heart full of troubles and unrest. It is practically impossible to achieve much in life when fear dictates every move. “If there is no enemy within, no enemy without can do us harm.” Fear is one of the greatest enemies one can have. Fear of the known, and the unknown, fear of failure or success, fear of age, fear of disappointing, name them. It is, however, disheartening to note that many a times we get too comfortable with our fears. We welcome them in our hearts, make them our guests and serve them hot latte with a cookie on the side. We want to play safe, therefore make fear our chief referee.

A heart gripped with fear is a heart full of troubles and unrest

You get an opportunity to make friends or even business partners but when you seek the counsel of your ‘wise’ counsel namely fear, you cringe and take several steps back. An opportunity arises to make a noteworthy investment but the fear of risks tells you otherwise. In the business world, for instance, not risking can be more detrimental than risk itself. 
The fear of death is the most unjustified of all fears, for there’s no risk of accident for someone who’s dead. – Albert Einstein. What is your greatest fear?

It is however impossible to totally absolve oneself from fear, but what is possible is denying oneself the comfort of your fears. Is there an area in your life that you feel has been crippled by fear? Are you afraid to lose/gain? Are you afraid to love because you fear heartbreaks? Have you become too comfortable with your fears to an extent that your comfort zone has become a dictate of your fears? Break away from that comfort zone. Risk some more. Love some more. Act some more. We only have this moment to work on, build on, and enjoy. Never let fear dictate the course of your moment. Chart your way forward with fearlessness and conviction. After all, in John Paul Jones’ words, “It seems to be a law of nature, inflexible and inexorable, that those who will not risk cannot win.”

Don't let the fear of rain limit you from enjoying your day

A Broken World

Let’s face it: we live in a broken world. The systems are broken; governments are broken, infrastructure, economies, and notably, people. Yes. People are as broken as the name sounds. We have broken dreams, broken ambitions, broken relationships, broken marriages, broken communities and societies at large. I believe firmly that no man was created in vain. The very existence of a man (here, man denotes a human being; all genders inclusive) is an encapsulation of a greater purpose, a greater path, a greater will that is way beyond selfish and malicious human intents. Yet no single man can proudly thump his chest and claim to be the savior of the world; no. Of saving the world is the sole responsibility of God. Yet He uses every man as He wills. No single star can light the sky. Thousands of galaxies light the sky with relentless brightness and shine. Similarly, every man has a shine from within that can snuff out any form of darkness, if only he can master the light that he possesses and directs it willfully for a greater selfless purpose.

So the brokenness that the world has can be salvaged by the united efforts and sacrifices of men who have consciously decided to stand out fearlessly and allow themselves to be used for service. But how, you ask? I consistently ask myself this, and in my little experience, study, observation and research, this is what I discovered.

1. Be Selfless

The purpose for which you were created goes beyond your comfort. Selflessness is a necessity if you are to sufficiently live your purpose for the greater good of mankind. This can be really tasking and you’d think, what about my comfort, my needs, my fun, my rewards? Somehow, I have come to realize that life has a system for rewards. The tears, sweat and blood you shed in private all in a bid to serve and address the brokenness of the world never goes unrewarded. If anything, your reward has an eternal significance. This means your reward will/may be in this current world or the world to come. Selflessness is allowing yourself to be stepped on if that means others crossing to the other side of the river. It is being a voluntary voice to the voiceless, breaker of chains to the bound and enslaved, courage to the fearful even you have fears of your own; in most cases your acts and sacrifices may go unnoticed and unrewarded, but the war you fight in is greater than the small battles you encounter daily. Your reward will surely come; God never forgets.

2. Be Fearless

Fear is inherent. From close observation, you will notice that a young baby, say 1 or 2 weeks old has fear. How so? Have you ever sneezed so loud when a baby is nearby? In almost all occasions, the baby will be startled, scared and probably start crying. The inherence of fear is doubtless. Yet as we grow and advance in life, we realize the significance and imperativeness of courage and boldness of heart. In the bid to address the various issues in this broken world, being fearless implies standing up to your peers who want to influence you in doing something that goes contrary to your set of values. Being fearless denotes saying no even when consequences are bound to emanate from such a stand. Being fearless may mean going beyond your comfort zone to do a crazy thing selflessly for others. The repercussions may always haunt you but the beauty of fearlessness is a significant climb in the ladder of life’s purpose. The things you fear today, you overcome them by using love- selflessness in service to mankind.

3. Understand your purpose

How do you fit in the matrix of life’s purpose? I am more than convinced that we were created for each other. How do I mean? Well, the common phrase ‘no man is an island’ is actually true. No one was created for themselves- being born, getting an education, fending for your needs, paying bills, then die? Absolutely meaningless and shallow! I believe our purpose is to serve one another; offering solutions to meet the needs of your fellow mankind. I believe in the purpose of showing love to those neglected or hated in the society, helping others out of their bondages and chains, offering timely solutions to life problems; economic, social, physical, and psychological problems. So how do you fit to life’s purpose? What solutions can you garner and offer to the world? What needs can you meet? Do you understand your purpose?

4. Act. Just Do it!

More often than not we do not know what to do next, especially when we hit a wall. The journey of accomplishing your purpose in life is full of meanders, bandits, valleys, mountains, harsh conditions and bewildering setbacks. It’s just the way of life. But selflessness and fearlessness will be your drive in this journey. The understanding you have of your input to life’s purpose will fuel you to do all you can, and all you should. Just do it! Do you at times cringe in fear and doubt not knowing what lies beyond your comfort zone? Then just do it! I remember a story told of a man who was set to be executed. He definitely had to be executed and all plans had been made. This was his end. He was given two choices: one, to walk into the door before him, or choose to be executed by bullet, shot by the best shooter/sniper at the time. Due to fear and uncertainty of what lay beyond the closed door, the man chose to be shot. Quick way to die, he thought. Just before he was executed, he asked ‘what is there beyond that door? ‘Freedom,’ he was told.

Do we fear what lies in the unknown? Do we cringe at the thought of what will happen to us if we go against all odds, and defy what systems, people, leaders, friends and families have made us believe? They say you can’t get a decent job unless you study a particular subject in a particular way for a particular set of time. They say you can't be creative and make it in life- you have to take what has been chewed and handed over to you. They say you can’t follow your passion when you have bills to pay. The system makes us believe that you need to know someone who knows someone who has further knowledge of another someone who can connect you and probably meet your needs. Well, I ask, do you believe you have all it takes to be accomplish your purpose in life? Remember, every day above the ground is a bold assurance that you still have a solution to offer this broken world. 

What Do You Have in Your Hands?

A story is told of a guy called Moses, who lived thousands of years ago. Moses’ life was full of drama from the time of his birth. When he was a baby, he was hidden by his mum in a basket and floated off in River Nile, which is BTW one dangerous river full of crocodiles. Moses, being brought up in the King’s Palace, became a Prince in Egypt. Bear in mind that this guy was an Israelite by birth and heritage. At that time, Israelites were slaves under the rule of Egyptians. Now, Egypt was like the superpower at that time. Thriving agricultural sector that employed modernized agricultural methods, large powerful military army, and as many slaves as a million plus- just but a few factors that enthroned Egypt as the superpower at the time. At some point, Moses had to flee Egypt, having killed an Egyptian who was mistreating an Israelite. Drama. He set off to the desert, miles away from the reach of the Egyptian king, where he married and settled.

Forty years later, God calls Moses and tells him to go back to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of captivity. Say whaaat! That must have been Moses’ reaction. He had put that life behind him; wanted nothing to do with Egypt. He now had a beautiful wife and kids, with property to take care of. He felt like his life was finally falling in place then God commands him to go to his enemy’s territory? How many of us would have obeyed? Leave everything you hold dear to pursue a higher purpose? Bearing in mind that where you go is filled with enemies and uncertainties? Honestly, would we comply with such a call; such a passion, and purpose that is beyond us? Would we risk our lives for people that don’t believe in us? People that probably don’t know you, or worse, don’t care who you are or what you are up to? Moses complied. That marked a change in his life, a turnaround for greater stuff ahead. The dude was full of fear and doubt but he took a step at a time towards the greater purpose.

Now after so much drama in Egypt, Moses finally managed to lead the Israelites out of captivity. But chill. The drama was not over, not just yet. I mean, this is Egypt- the most powerful nation in the world. With chariots and military that could conquer the whole world. The King at the time was a mean ninja who had no love for the Israelites. Despite the various plagues that befell Egypt, he still wanted to subject these “poor slaves” to hard labor. So he leads his army and set out to go get the Israelites who were already on their way to an unknown destination. Drama. I mean, Moses is leading over a million people to an unknown land; the desert was ahead of them, Egypt behind them. There were many enemies everywhere. At that time, there was no political diplomacy; no international laws to protect and preserve humankind. The Israelites had no weapons, just luggage- lots of valuables collected in Egypt.

So this most powerful army nearly catches up with the Israelites just when they had reached the Red Sea. This sea was huge; the waves were on high tides with monstrous sounds that would clearly make anyone quiver in fear. A few miles behind, the Egyptian army, led by the king, was closing in. The chariots made great terrifying noises, whilst leaving behind a trail of dust. This made a statement. Things were not going well for the Israelites. They start whining and crying to their leader Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?” Now listen to what Moses replies, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.” Huh?! I mean dude! All facts show how ruthless and mercenary the army approaching is. The Red Sea is one large sea. The Israelites had no weapons, leave alone boats to ferry them to the other side of the sea. Drama.

“Why are you crying to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand to the sea to divide the water…” God tells Moses. I mean wasn’t this timely? An unbelievable solution that ensured the safe ferry of the Israelites. Moses did as told and the sea parted and made way for the Israelites to cross. The Egyptians on the other hand charged after them, using the same route- the dry land in the sea. Moses, having ensured that every Israelite is on the other side of the sea, raises his staff and the mighty waves close in on the Egyptian army and they are all swallowed up, including their horses and chariots.

Raise your staff in obedience

This story just does it for me. It is a real story with real drama and issues. The leadership traits and concepts depicted in the story are just remarkable. How often do we whine and complain when faced with a bleak situation? Are you on a path towards your destiny? Are you living out your purpose in life? Are you a leader? Or maybe you are a follower. It does not really matter. Once in a while, if not often, you will face challenges and situations where you are in between a rock and a hard place. Will you quiver in fear and let your enemy have the last laugh? Or will you run towards your enemy and thrown in the white flag? Will you cry and whine, reminiscing the “good ol' days”? Will you desire that you were in your comfort zone just sipping that cup of cappuccino and watching the news? Will you call your mama or papa and tell them you are done and you want to go back home? What choice will you make? What decision, what step, what faith, what act, what sound, and what utterance will you make? 

Will you whine and cry like a little baby?

Moses obeyed. He did not do some ninja gymnastics or magic. He simply raised the rod he had and the sea parted. I call on you to employ what you have in your hands. What is inside you is an enough weapon to defeat your enemies. Your talents, gifts, passions, skills- these are the arrows in your quiver. Let them out. Raise them up and watch as your sea of troubles, hardships, calamities, and perilous situations part and give way to you. Work on accomplishing that which you were made for. Obey. Be fearless. Take a step at a time towards the realization of your purpose and passion. Take the step of faith and yes, tough times will come, but tougher will you be. What do you have in your hands? What do you possess within you? Raise it up! Soldier on. 

What do you possess within you? Raise it up; soldier on!!

Self Mastery

Often times we find ourselves in situations that call for our decision making skills. From what clothes to wear before you leave your house in the morning, to what you will have for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, to what you plan to execute as your day unfolds. Opportunities to make decisions pop up every now and then. Many factors would influence the kind of decisions we make. Self mastery is one of these factors; it determines whether we make decisions based on logic, our emotions or our experiences.

So you wake up in the morning and even before you open those lazy eyes, you stretch and yawn as hard as your mouth can take. You reminisce what transpired in the night. You then realize that the night was short yet you feel more exhausted than when you slept (and the night had no activity whatsoever, you just slept). The moment your semi-awake brain is up and running, you start thinking what you need to do first, then what follows. You then convince yourself to betray that warm duvet that did nothing but shelter you from the cold, and decide to get your feet on the floor. Another yawn and stretch. Then you probably, if not definitely, head to the washroom and do your thing. You wash your hands as well as your face. By now, you are fully awake and have already set your mind on the run through of events that will transpire in that chilly morning. You are faced with a dilemma though; should I make breakfast first or hit the showers first? Your hungry tummy gives a rumbling shout to your brain: dude, breakfast!! So you decide to give heed to your stomach and make breakfast. Its 7:07AM. You woke up at 7.01 after struggling with your alarm all the way from 6.50 AM. You then hurriedly take breakfast because you need to beat that traffic jam and make it to work by 8 AM. Just one hour into your day and you have made a 1001 choices. They may seem to be petty decisions but they will surely affect the rest of your day. 

The decisions we make bear consequences; either positive or negative. I have come to realize that these decisions are products of self mastery. The strength of one's character determines the quality and soundness of the decisions they make. Leonardo da Vinci said "One can have no smaller or greater mastery than the mastery of self." Self mastery would enable you to realize who you are, your purpose in life, your passions, potentials, gifts and skills. Soon as you discover all these, you will better placed in life to make decisions that would shape your life in the manner that you want it shaped. It is imperative to know what areas to improve/changes in your life, what positive impacts the changes would cause, the repercussions that would result in failure to implement the changes and how different your life would be once you implement the changes. 

Self mastery is a process. In fact, even at old age you will be surprised at the decisions you make or the mistakes you commit deliberately or unknowingly. Human beings are filled mysteries that can be unraveled a day a time on an individual basis. Self mastery is therefore lifelong but highly significant. The sooner one masters themselves, the wiser the decisions they influence and the lives they shape. "The fearful seek to serve themselves by mastering the world, while the fearless seek to serve the world by mastering themselves." Eric Michael Leventhal.