Fear of Failure

How many times do we back off from pursuing an idea or project because we fear failure? What will others think of me if it doesn’t work? How long can I delay before I am forced to take action? I know the situation calls for me to preach on this subject, but some, many, all may not agree. What if we invest significant money, time and energy into a new mission project and it flops before we really get started?

Shakespeare wrote, A coward dies a thousand deaths, a hero only one (Julius Caesar Act 1, Scene 2, Line 32). Yet, many of us in life and ministry are paralyzed by our fear of failure. Yet in the play Macbeth the bard writes, when Macbeth is afraid of failing in killing Duncan, Lady Macbeth responds, But screw your courage to the sticking-place, And we’ll not fail (Acts 1, Scene 7, lines 60-61). Franklin D. Roosevelt, in response to the American economic crisis, said in his first inaugural address, So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is...fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.

Scripture is replete with urgings against fear. One of my favorite passages is in Deuteronomy 31:6. The Hebrews stand at the bank of the Jordan. Moses is giving his farewell address. He knows the people are fearsome about engaging the people of the land into which they would be going. Moses proclaims, Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Then there is Psalm 23:4, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. The angle saws to Mary at the annunciation, “Fear not…” The angel says to the shepherds, “Fear not….” Several times Jesus says, “Fear not….” When the women arrive at the tomb they are told, “Fear not….” When Jesus enters the room in which the disciples were gathered he said, "Fear not...."

We fear the dark. We fear fire. We fear storms. We fear economic collapse. We fear terrorists. We fear refusal in asking for something. We fear rejection when asking another for a date or to get married. We fear getting fired. We fear having an accident.  Most of all, we fear of failure.

For a about three weeks I have had an email for access to take the Coach Knowledge Assessment exam for credentialing by the International Coach Federation. I left the email sitting there waiting to be opened. I blocked out three days this week to review and take the exam. Just before Noon I had to admit to myself that I was procrastinating taking the assessment because I feared failing the assessment. Once acknowledging that, I decided just park my backside in my chair and take the exam. Less than two hours later I had passed the exam. My fears were ill founded.

Most of our fears are ill founded. It would be foolish not to experience fear in the face of a clear and present danger. Those are far less frequent than actual. Fear of failure whether in love, preaching, beginning something new, or being tested blocks the accomplishment of that which is most desired.

Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you.