i feel it coming on again: fear, crawling under my skin.
that quiet, unspoken, never-admitted feeling...
that haunting, ever-nagging, turn-your-back-and-run panic...
fear: not of spiders or big dogs or the pull of the ocean,
but fear of my ability, people's reaction, the future, mistakes.
o lord, help me to face my fears and turn them around.
be my anchor; stand by me until i --
stop fearing i might lose in love...
but fear instead that i might never love at all.
stop fearing there are others better than me...
but fear instead that i will never discover my true potential.
stop fearing i might not meet others' expectations...
but fear instead that i might never know yours.
stop fearing what lies ahead tomorrow, next week, next month, next year...
but fear instead that that i might never experience life's drama today.
stop fearing hurt and sorrow and tears...
but fear instead that i will never know the pains of growth.
stop fearing i might fail...
but fear instead that i might never try.
stop fearing others will laugh at me...
but fear instead that i might never learn to laugh at myself.
o lord, help me to anchor my life on your hope
instead of my fear.
o lord, i know an adventurous life can never be fear-free...
but at least helpl my fears to be my soul's signal for rallying
instead of running.

- s. rickly christian