Topic: Don’t Be Afraid to Try Something New [Joyce Meyer Ministry ]

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One of the great tragedies in life is to not develop your potential. When you don’t, you are robbing yourself and the world of the wonderful gifts and talents God has given you.

You might say, “Joyce, I have tried some things and failed, so now I’m afraid.”

You can liberate yourself by realizing that your potential is not in your past. Any time we try and fail, we learn something that can benefit us in the future if we won’t give up.

Out with the Old, In with the New

Do you live a life of boring sameness because you are afraid to try anything new? Do you assume you would fail without even trying? A great deal of creativity lies within each one of us, and we need to learn to tap into it and express it without fear.

Often, instead of exercising creativity, we keep repeating the same things even when we are bored with them, simply because we are afraid of doing something different. Even if we feel safer and more comfortable with things we are familiar with, we still need variety in our lives.

God must really like variety, or He wouldn’t have created so much of it! Sometimes even a slight deviation from sameness is refreshing.

Some people keep the same job or live in the same area all of their lives because they feel those environments and activities are safe. Even if they hate their jobs and feel unfulfilled, at least they know how to do their jobs and are comfortable with them. The thought of getting a different job is terrifying to them!

They think of all the negative things that could happen: What if I leave my job and end up not doing well at the next one? I have friends where I work and I am accepted there. What if people at the new place don’t like me?

They think these types of things until they talk themselves out of making a change! Bolder individuals who are determined to fulfill their potential think differently. They might think like this:

It will be exhilarating to do something fresh and new! I need and want a new challenge, and I’m excited about making new friends. I believe I will make a contribution to the new company and quickly be promoted.

We can talk ourselves into doing something or out of doing it, depending on our level of confidence. Fortunately, I have discovered that I don’t have to feel confident in order to be confident.

The Bible teaches that confidence is found in Jesus Christ and not in ourselves. I know I can do nothing without Him, but I have learned to believe that I can do anything He leads me to do through Him.

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

I’m not encouraging you to pursue every whim that crosses your mind. And there’s nothing wrong with having the same job all of your life if you’re fulfilled and truly believe you are reaching your potential.

However, if you do want a change, then I urge you to start praying and asking God to open new doors of opportunity for you. And when He does, then choose to move out of your comfort zone and into new things!

In the process, it’s so important to remember that failing at something does not make a person a failure. Most people who have done great things have failed many times before they actually succeeded. I had to learn this before I was able to develop the potential inside of me.

I personally believe that God admires boldness and courage. We must remember that He is the One Who tells us in His Word not to be afraid of anything.

Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you…” (NKJV). Don’t let the fear of something different keep you from the joy of something new. God is with you and He is going to help you.

Instead of thinking about how worrisome it is to try something different—to break out of your comfort zone and shake things up—think about how wonderful it is when God does something new in your life.

Adventure isn’t something meant to intimidate you—it’s something to invigorate you. Life with God is an adventure!

Remember, God has created you for great things, and He doesn’t want you to be afraid. And if you make mistakes or fail—and we all do—that’s okay too! The Lord will help you to get up, move forward and try again.