My son Matthew is really into fishing this fall. I take him to a local lake several nights a week, drop him off and then pick him up 90 minutes later. He’s catching some big fish evident by the photos he’s taking. After admiring them for a while he throws them back. This past Saturday morning he went on his bike and actually brought home a fish.
When it was time to gut it and filet it, I could tell he was nervous. It reminded me of the first time I cut up a fish. I asked him what was the matter and he said, “It’s just so sad to watch it die.” I offered to take him to throw it back and he accepted my offer and then refused, deciding to go through with the task. I could tell that he was glad he went through with it because on Sunday we grilled the Bass filets and really enjoyed them for dinner.
It reminded me of the things in life we fear. When we talk about tough situations that we have to go through we only focus on the situation. We take it apart, analyze it and look at it from all directions in hopes of finding a way around it or, if we have to, through it.
But we’re missing the point. The thing we should be taking apart and analyzing is not the situation, but our fear. You see, it’s not the situation that we fear, it’s the fear that we’re afraid of. Just think about the last time you faced a tough situation and got through it. Didn’t you feel great? Did you realize it wasn’t the situation that you feared, it was the fear itself? The old acronym is certainly true: Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real.
So, next time you’re in a fearful situation, do this: Stop, Listen, Look around you, and feel the fear. Take it all in. Really absorb it. Then take a deep breath and proceed. As you get started on the thing you feared, the fear will melt away to excitement. Try it! You won’t be disappointed.
I believe in you!