Fearful or Fearless?

Fearless

I’m pretty excited to be starting this book tonight!  I got my advance copy this weekend and I’m excited to be blogging about it on September 8th when it releases.

I don’t think this book could be any more timely… at least for me.

This year has been riddled with fear for me.

Fear of…

  • not being good enough
  • trusting in my own strength too much
  • not being smart enough
  • being a “know-it-all”
  • not being qualified
  • not knowing what I don’t know
  • not being quick enough
  • being too hasty
  • not being decisive
  • being impatient
  • not giving good counsel
  • not listening
  • not being sensitive enough
  • being too sensitive

… the list could go on and on.

I have no idea what Max Lucado is going to share in Fearless.  But as part of the leadership team of an incredibly fast-moving, growing organization I know that I face fears everyday.  And the “grey leadership” issue for me is to understand and lead through the difference of healthy fear and paralyzing fear.  There are some fears that I think are healthy in that they keep me grounded and aware of my total need to rely on God and His strength, and then there are some fears that just simply paralyze me because I’ve become a slave to them.

Does that make sense?

What would you say is the difference between “healthy fear” and “paralyzing fear”?

in Leadership / Other / Personal Growth
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7 comments

  • Andy Borgmann August 18, 2009  

    I got my copy a couple of days ago and it went right into the pile with the other books. Never been much of a Lucado fan. Great guy, a bit too wordy of writer.

    I’ll definitely be looking forward to seeing your thoughts / summary on what you learned though.

  • lindseyreadenobles August 18, 2009  

    I don’t think there is “healthy fear.” I think it is healthy to step out of your comfort zone but the fear is never healthy. Natural reactions when you do this are discomfort, uneasiness, and fear but courage, bravery and boldness are much positive reactions.

  • Josh Whitehead August 18, 2009  

    Paralyzing fear never lets me make a decision.

    Healthy fear says I want to honor God in the decision-making process. So as I make decisions, I must be committed to walk with Him & involve Him in the process.

  • Dad August 18, 2009  

    Healthy fear is good, for without it we become over confident and arrogant. Paralyzing fear never lets you make a decision. There is a fine line between the two. Emprase the fear as the unknown but grow from each decision you make. Trust in youir decision making and always listen to what God is telling you. You can not go wrong than.

  • Jenni Catron August 18, 2009  

    Anyone else think I should start letting my Dad write my posts. 🙂 He always has great great clarity and wisdom.

  • brandiandboys August 18, 2009  

    i’ve been battling a couple of fears lately and think this book would be a great read as well… i’ve actually considered listening to the paralyzed series again, love that one!

  • @B_rewster August 18, 2009  

    Im about to read the same book! i heard a quote on a podcast this weekend that went something like: we face the giants in our lives and when we slay them we defeat the impossible in our lives. After we do that a couple of times, that impossible thing becomes normal.

    I think that is what we have to do to our fear. we have to face them, beat them, and make them a normal thing we always beat….maybe???

    healthy fear is stuff we beat. unhealthy fear is stuff we are to afraid to deal with…

    yes, your dad should blog. 🙂