Created For Risk

In this chapter Debbie Macomber addresses the topic of being afraid to follow our dreams. In the section entitled "Conquering Our Fears" she quotes John Ortberg when he stated in his book If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat, the phrase "Fear Not" is listed in all 66 books of the Bible. Debbie said that she has made 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and discipline (NLT) her life verse. Whenever she is afraid she repeats that verse.
In the section "The Art of Risk-Taking" she shared that a resource that has helped her in overcoming her hears of success and reaching her dreams was a book by Kate White Why Good Girls Don't Get Ahead . . . But Gutsy Girls Do. She states that she learned that a gutsy girl is not a bad girl but one who does not mind charting her own course and taking risks. Debbie said that she also learned from White to have a different perspective and giving fear another name.
"It could be terrifying--or it could be challenging.
It could be foreign--or it could be intriguing
It could expose your ignorance--or your ability to learn."
Macomber further tells us that in order for our dreams to see the light of success, we must learn to take control of our fears by turning them over to God and focus on what is really important. She further states that God is the anchor we can use to turn our dreams from wispy fantasies to realities.
In the next section Debbie Macomber addresses "Overcoming Doubt", she stated that even after we get over our fear of taking a risk and pursue our God-given dreams we will have to deal with doubt, it will come and go but you can't let it stop you from accomplishing your goal. We have to "Trust God when we can't see the road map isn't easy, but it's necessary". Debbie said that for her the best was to overcome doubt is to remember God's promises. She then lists these twelve

1. God's presence - He'll never leave you. (Heb. 13:5)
2. God's protection - He our shield and great reward. (Gen. 15:1)
3. God's power - He will strengthen us. (Isaiah 41:10)
4. God's provision - He will help us. (Isaiah 41:10)
5. God's leading - He goes ahead of us. (John 10:4)
6. God's purposes - He has raised us for this very purpose. (Exodus 9:15-16)
7. God's rest - He will give us rest. (Mat. 11:28)
8. God's cleansing - He will forgive us and purify us. (1 John 1:9)
9. God's goodness - He does not withhold any goodness. (Psalm 84:11)
10. God's faithfulness -He will not reject us. (1 Samuel 12:22)
11. God's guidance - He guides us. (Psalm 25:9)
12. God's wise plan- He works all things for good for us. (Romans 8:28)

Debbie tells us in the next section to "Believe in Yourself". She states that we are created for risk. She quoted Robert Kennedy "Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly". Debbie then shares several stories that prove her point. I particularly liked the one about praying for parking spots because I have frequently done that and just like for Debbie, God has provided parking spaces where I need them.

Lastly Debbie share that it is okay to make mistakes. She says, "It's okay if we make mistakes. It's okay if we fail. But we can't ever stop trying. We can't ever not try. Because then we push aside all the wonderful things God has given each of us to help us succeed with our dreams. And then we're taking something away from God."

Messages like Debbie's from other sources have helped me begin once again to pursue one of my dreams about writing. So far I have not written a book. But I have begun to publish simple articles for an on-line magazine. Check out my articles at http://www.examiner.com/x-17689-Huntsville-Christian-Missions-Examiner. Let me know what you think.