The fear of failure is one of the biggest hinderances to living a powerful missional life!  Often, people will never attempt to share their faith with someone else because of fear that they might say something wrong and as a result the person will reject Christ. 

Such fear is paralyzing! It actually keeps people from even trying to shine the Light of Christ. People will be sitting at a coffee shop, having a conversation when all of sudden they hear something that would perfect segue into sharing their personal testimony but will become deadly quite because fear has gripped their heart. 

So, how does one over come the fear of failure and be able to share Jesus or do a good deed in such a way that God can get the glory?

3 Ways To Stop The Fear Of Failure

#1:  Remember Everyone Fails

That's right! Everyone fails!  No one is perfect! We all mess up! I really don't care how you say it but the truth always there and that truth is that you are not perfect, you've never been perfect and you never will be perfect.  The only perfect life in this world is reserved from one person and His name is Jesus Christ.  And if you haven't looked in the mirror for awhile - you're not Jesus!

"We all stumble in many ways ..."  James 3:2 (NIV)

"There is no one on earth who does what is right all the time and never makes a mistake." Eccl. 7:20 (GN)

These two verses make perfectly clear what I've already stated - Everyone Fails!

So, the question we all need to ask ourselves is simply this: If everyone fails, including me, why do I think I should be the exception? Don't allow failure keep you from trying! If you fail, learn from it and try again.  Use failure to better yourself, to motivate yourself and to make you an expert!

#2: Realize Failure Is Not Fatal

"No matter how often and honest man falls, he always gets up again." Proverbs 24:16 (GN)

I like that verse because it reminds that failure isn't the end and it doesn't get the final word unless I allow it to.  The only way failure wins is if I give up.

Here Are Some Successful Failures:

George Washington: President Washington lost 2/3 of all the battles he fought but won the War for Independence against England.

Neapolian: Graduated 42nd in his class of 43.  That's not much to brag about. 

Babe Ruth: This great baseball player hit 714 home runs but he had a whole lot more strikeouts.  

The point that I am trying to make is that just because you've messed up or failed once doesn't mean you won't succeed the next time or the next time or the time after that. 

#3: Recognize The Benefits Of Failing

In this point we are going to look at how God uses failures to benefits us!  God uses failures to:

A.  Educate Us!

"A man who refuses to admit his mistake can never be successful .." Proverbs 28:13

God uses failure to show us areas where we need growth.

B.  Motivate Us!

"Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways." Proverbs 20:30 (GN)

There's an old saying that more is accomplished from desperation than inspiration.  What that means is that when we fail, that failure can become the fuel that will rocket us with new enthusiasm and determination to succeed the next time. It becomes the motivation that pushes us forward.

We are called to live a powerful missional life where the Light of Christ shines brightly through us into our part of this dark world.

DON'T ALLOW THE FEAR OF FAILURE KEEP YOU FROM ATTEMPTING THE GREAT THINGS GOD WANTS TO DO THROUGH YOU.!