I realized something last night about myself — I tend to not follow through with large tasks or changes because underneath it all I am intimidated by their unfamiliarity. For example — we are considering homeschooling our children. I feel almost like I haven’t taken the decision seriously, researched it much, or even have my mind solidly decided on what to do. The reason why is because I am overwhelmed by the decision – the information – the challenge. The decision is huge and I don’t even know where to start, to I procrastinate, not doing anything, and pushing the thoughts further back.
After realizing this last night, I was able to see other areas in my life where I have done the same thing – ministry included. I have set aside the new programming I know I should do because it is the best thing because I am overwhelmed with recruiting workers or rearranging/rethinking what I do. I have let go of a great outreach event because I am intimidated by the work at hand in order to get it done or because it is unfamiliar to me. The list goes on.
I need to remember that I serve a God who sees this. One, He calls me to excellence. He does not want me to sell myself short for this. Secondly, I have the God who created the universe cheering me on. I can put my trust in Him to show me the way, give me boldness in my steps, and make it seem as familiar as I’ve been doing it all along.
Are there areas in your life that you set aside and don’t follow through with due to intimidation of the task or unfamiliarity?
Thank you for your article on intimidated by unfamiliarity, that message that I retrieved from your archives made me think of reasons that we sometimes procrastinate but never really divulge the truth of why. I am a minister as well as a divorced mother of 2 ( pre-teen & teenager) I work a full time job as well as God as given me a business plan to implement along with a phenomenal outreach ministry. I am currently associated with a church family as well as the plans to implement internally within the church I am affilliated with & sometimes everything can be totally overwhelming and truthfully just as the writer mentioned when you look around your life and can’t find a reference point in your own experiences we start to tremble at the task ahead & somewhere inside we shake and in response we begin to retreat from the assignment God has given us but hold your head up and with great assurance know that my help cometh from the LORD who made heaven & earth. He put His Spirit in us and we will keep his commandments and do them because I can do all things thru Chris Jesus.