2 Timothy 1:7 – For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

There is something incredibly freeing in doing something you’re afraid of.  I was terrified of doing this blog, starting this fitness coaching journey, and putting myself out there.  I had tons of reasons NOT to, and wasn’t sure why I still wanted to because I had convinced myself that it wasn’t “me.”  What does that even mean???  Seriously.  If you have a desire in your heart for something, it is “you.”  Anyway, I realized that all of my so-called reasons for not starting this journey were from fear.  Fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of lack of support.  But FEAR IS NOT FROM GOD.  So, I decided to jump through the wall of fear I had built for myself and do it anyway. In the process, I have learned just how detrimental fears can be and have been in my life.  I have learned to raise the volume of the supporters and encouragers around me and quiet the voices that feed into my fears and anxieties.  And it has been AWESOME!  Let me just encourage you today to identify your fears and KICK THEM IN THE FACE!  They have NO place in your life.  Seek God in all you do and He will give you the desires of your heart.  I am so thankful for my awesome fit family that I wouldn’t have if I hadn’t said YES in spite of my fears.  For me, the decision was about so much more than getting in shape.  It was about not backing away because of fear.  And in the process I have made more progress in finding my “fit” in the last couple of months than I have in years of trying to do it on my own.  I am surrounded by encouragers, motivators, prayer warriors, and I had NO idea what I was getting into when I signed up.  This has definitely been one of my best yeses.  I’ve overcome some long-time insecurities and fears thanks to that decision.  I still have a long way to go, but I am a work in progress.  And SLOW PROGRESS IS STILL PROGRESS.  Never belittle the value of imperfect or slow progress.  We all have our own struggles, yours may be much different than mine, but whatever your struggles are I pray that you don’t allow fear to hold you back.  Be a conqueror.  You ARE capable.  God did not create us to hide in the shadows of our fears.  So if you struggle with fear and anxiety, know that you do not have to submit to the lies that they are birthed from. Choose what you will put your faith and hope in, and I pray you choose confidence in the plans God has for your life over the lies of the enemy that are meant to keep you from your purpose and blessings in this life.  Love and hugs!  ~Kristin