Perhaps, the problem with saying “I’ve always wanted to” is just that. It keeps your present in the past.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Studies show that when we judge risk, we’re biased towards what is familiar- even if one’s risk of dying in a car accident is greater than that in a plane, most people would prefer to drive.
This is the mirage of security, the hypocrisy that we bought into that the decisions we made really were for the best, when in fact, we bought ourselves a security that doesn’t even exist.
Only God knows our futures.
What if I told you faith were a muscle that can be practiced? That from a young age, you could stand up to “I’ve always wanted to…” not with suppressing your anxieties, but by showing up with all your fears, and in spite of them, step out anyway.
Every time we take a step of faith, we practice courage over comfort. Every time we step out of our comfort zones, we practice walking out our values. Every time we push ourselves to ask ourselves about our “why”, we practice leaning into our values.
Today, if you catch yourself scrolling through other people’s lives on social media, and catch yourself saying, “I’ve always wanted to…,” would you stop yourself? Would you take a step back, curiously examine your emotions and values, and ask yourself what lies between the gap of “always wanting” and actually living it out.
The truth is- courage isn’t the absence of fear. It is acting in spite of it.
With your heart in your mouth, write that application, book that plane, plan that “will you date me” conversation- all with the fear that things could go wrong.
For when aligned with our values, our actions in spite of fear is what propels us towards our calling.
THAT is courage.
When I applied to serve in Mozambique in 2011 for my grad trip, I was paralyzed with fear. But when fear or rears it’s ugly head, it’s no time to duck.
Every little step forward, walks you closer to the life you prayed for.
With your values clarified, write them down. Put them up. And watch your life change, one act of courage at a time.
That is the power of faith over fear.