By Cherrilynn Bisbano @bisbanowrites

Happy New Year! Did you set goals and resolutions? I want to finish three books, obtain five speaking engagements, and attend three conferences. My stomach flips when I ponder the possibilities. I’ve prayed about my plans. I desire to accomplish all God has for me. I believe you want to succeed and bring glory to God. What happens when God grants the desires of our heart?

Some people would say I’m successful. I teach at writer’s conferences, ladies retreats, and small business luncheons. I’m also a published author. My life is good! I achieved some of my dreams with God’s power.

In the past, He’s led me to Honduras, Togo, Africa, the dark streets of the inner city, and I’ve ministered to some scary people. At times, when I look at what God does in and through me, I get frightened. Questions whirl through my head.

What if someone in the audience confronts me with opposing views?

Will success make me prideful?

Will I fail God or someone I love?

As I ponder these questions I realize— fear of success is fear of failure wrapped in a pretty package of pride. YIKES!

I’m focused on my lack of ability and not God’s promises.

Do you fear success? Are you afraid to fail God?

God’s Word commands us not to fear. So what do we do?

I repent, grasp hold of my Creators promises, and ask for His help.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

God created us for His good will and purpose and He will help us accomplish the work. He knows we are frightened. That is why is gives us His assurances.

I have the following verse hanging in my office to remind me that God empowers me, I need not fear failure or success.

“Be strong and courageous and get to work. Don’t be frightened by the size of the task, for the Lord my God is with you; he will not forsake you. He will see to it that everything is finished correctly. 1 Chronicles 28:20 TLB

If we allow God’s power to work in and through us, how can we fail? If we operate in the Spirit and give God all the glory, fear should be eradicated.

Trusting God is learned. From Abraham to Timothy, each one grew to trust God. I still experience fear before I speak, press enter, or read a book review. I exercise my faith muscles by calling on God for help, and claiming His promises. I believe fear sparks our spirit to trust and obey. God never fails.

Will you join me in trusting Gods Word when fear rear’s it’s ugly head?

Join the conversation.

Cherrilynn Bisbano is an award-winning writer, coach, editor, and speaker. As former managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest. Cherrilynn is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, book proposals, and the Bible.

She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. Her work in progress, Accidental Findings, won the first 10 pages award with, When Words Count Retreat. You can find her published in Blue Ridge Writers Blog, Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh, and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to award-winning, Get to the Margins-Author Anthology; Breaking the Chains; Heart Reno, Kiss Guilt Goodbye; and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books. Her latest book, Shine Don’t Whine, released October 2020. Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award.  She lives with her eighteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 22 years. Cherrilynn loves Christ, Chocolate, coffee, and Cats. You will often find her on the beach sea glass hunting.