I have heard many people despair that they feel afraid about something and then conclude that they are weak or somehow less than. Fear is a natural emotion that surfaces when stepping into unknown territory, facing something without enough tools or resources, or there is a lack of safety in some way. This reaction is a call to action to be cautious and take precautions as much as possible. Therefore, fear can be informative, motivating, and protective.
Where fear becomes problematic is when it creates avoidance and limits opportunities by closing doors. They key is to listen to what the fear is saying but work against the knee-jerk reaction to avoid dealing with the situation. Many times, it is moving into and through the fear that causes the greatest healing, growth, and potential for change.
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.” (Book- Life Unlocked)