Today I read a bit from “Unafraid: Moving Beyond Fear-Based Faith” by Benjamin L. Corey and this isn’t a book review because I haven’t read the whole book. However, it was very interesting to read Benjamin Corey’s story as an adoptive parent since I have my own (failed) international adoption story. I found his story of fear to be one that I also resonated with deeply, and I look forward to learning more about his journey. Reading his story immediately got me thinking about the ways fear has intersected my own story, and some of the things I have wrestled with… and that’s what I share in the video above.
I’m no expert in fear, unless simply being afraid counts. I think sometimes my whole life has been steeped in fear and every small step I have made was only one of many necessary steps toward faith. I guess what I should say is that I’m no expert in overcoming fear. And I’m ok with that, I just want to be more aware and present every day to my own journey out of fear toward faith.
Years ago I heard a guy preach who really rocked my world with his outside-the-box thinking. The host of the event asked him to close with prayer and this was his prayer:
I am coming alive and fear is being shed from me.
I am coming alive and fear is being shed from me.
I don’t know how many times he said that simple line, I didn’t really care. I felt that power of that simple statement then… and I feel it now. I am coming alive and fear is being shed from me. I’m no expert. I can’t tell you grand stories of triumph… but I can say with confidence: I am coming alive and fear is being shed from me.
Gosh, I wish I remembered that guy’s name. No clue. Still… I am coming alive and fear is being shed from me.
Thanks for listening. I really appreciate it. May you be ever more fearless and shameless my friend. That’s my prayer and blessing for both of us. Amen.
Today, do something you’ve been too scared to do. Do it now. I think you’ll find it wasn’t all that scary after all. Godspeed.
Carmen Shenk 