You Must Pick a Direction to Go: You Must Give Up Your Fear of Failure and Try

Isaiah 48:17 - This is what the Lord says--your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:  “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”

Sometimes in life we get lost. The way ahead is shrouded by the clouds of fear of failure and loss of direction. The way used to be so clear. But now. Now we’re just not sure.
 
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I spoke about decisions and how when we’re trying to make a decision, we have to weigh the cost of our choices. But loss of direction is a little different.
 
You’re not just unsure about a decision you’re trying to make, you’re unsure of what your choices even are. One path leads up a steep hill and climbing is difficult. Another leads down into a deep valley, with the grade being so sloped, that you easily lose your footing and tumble down a ravine.
 
What’s a person to do? Maybe you could just sit still until somehow an easier way will make its way known. The hours tick by as you wait. And then the day slips by. And then another.
 
Then one morning you wake up and think you see something ahead. But the way is covered with smoke. Should you head that way? Wouldn’t it be a risk to go where there might be a fire? Then you hear a loud crash; as two trees, now engulfed with fire, fall across the path up the hill and the other across the slope downward.
 
Fire quickly surrounds you. Just as you think you’re not going to survive; another path can be seen in the midst of the smoke. It’s a bumpy road with many boulders and jagged rocks. But the way ahead doesn’t look steep or sloped downward toward a ravine. And with the fire surrounding you, you must make the only choice available to you.
 
But you must give up your fear of failure and try. You must pick a direction to go.
 
This is a picture of what life looks like. Life is hardly an easy climb on a smooth path. And it’s not one where you can see a long way into the distance. It’s only one step at a time.
 
Yet, as you walk ahead, be aware that you’re path is going to run into people who want to tell you what to do. They can also criticize you when you don’t follow their suggestions. Listening to wise counsel is important. But I’m not talking about that. This is blatant controlling. And they can make you doubt your choice of direction. Listen respectfully. Yet don’t just follow their blind led either. Thank them for their opinion and make a choice, even if you make some people angry with you.
 
But don’t let making decisions a chore you have to do, worrying about failure, or worrying about displeasing others. There’s a measure of excitement when trying something new. Yes, it can be scary, but it can also be fun.
 
Some of the suggestions on finding your direction in life can be found in wikihow.com in their article, “How to Find Direction in Life,” such as taking notice of what you really enjoy doing and then doing it. Don’t fear that new choice. Jump into it with anticipation of something good coming into your life not something bad. Take a small step to start. It can be overwhelming to try taking on a whole new direction. Break it down and don’t forget to enjoy the journey not just the destination. In addition, commit to a direction and work hard at it. You will be rewarded if you persevere.
 
I would also add: God can teach you what is best for you if you ask him. He will direct you in the way you should go. And not only that, he will walk with you and even carry you when the road ahead is bumpy and has jagged rocks. Give up that fear of failure and try!

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