You can't hold the river back

Are you afraid of progress? Do you prefer staying in your familiar daily pattern? What would you do and how would you feel if you became really successful? Would you go with the momentum or become frightened and retreat?

Many people tend to jeopardize their own progress. They fear succeeding in whatever endeavor they attempt. They unknowingly cause themselves to fail right when they are almost to the finish line of what they are a attempting to achieve. You may ask, "Is that just a coincidence?" No, it is a psychological condition. Within, you fear success.

When someone continually fails just shy of his goal, he may be afraid if he succeeds, he won't be able to perform what success requires. He may not want to give up his present state in life, which is familiar and comfortable. He is anxious about the changes he may have to make.

A prime example is found in the book "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. A shepherd boy was content with his occupation. It allowed him a degree of comfort and sameness. He liked his freedom and peace. But he met a merchant in a neighboring town through which he passed with his sheep. He began working for the merchant because he needed money. The experience changed the attitudes of the shepherd and merchant.

The merchant liked his lifestyle of owning a glass store. He made crystal glasses and other trinkets. He made a comfortable and undemanding living.

One day, the shepherd saw an opportunity for the merchant to make his business much more profitable. The idea worked, and the business expanded drastically. The merchant grew uncomfortable and distraught. He wanted to back out of the new channel of progress. He thought the matter over while the shepherd boy waited for his answer. He pondered how happy he had been running the small store. He didn't have to stretch himself. But he had to admit he was bored at times and lacked motivation. So he finally decided he couldn't hold progress back. He could help people by expanding his business through the new avenue the shepherd had suggested. He couldn't continue to hold back the river of expansion and more profit by failing to move forward. So he dumped his fear and developed faith.

In the meantime, the shepherd made some changes, too. He had learned new things about life and decided to take another road, although he vowed he would return to shepherding. The boy and the merchant each made a life change because they went with the flow of change, took their leap of faith and tried to follow God and see their true purpose in life.

Those examples are part of a story, but there is much wisdom in them. It is so easy to become set in your ways, accustomed to your surroundings, comfortable with the same friends, and accustomed to your job. Even though you feel God may be prodding you to "Come follow him," you stay stuck. You're stuck in the familiar. But as everybody knows, goals and motivation give you joy and energy.

You can rise to any occasion if you believe you can, and when the time comes for you to become successful, don't fear the outcome. Even though life will change, it more than likely will be for the best.

Isaiah 41:10 can give you hope in being able to do what you must do.

"Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Psalm 32:8 encourages by saying, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go."