At a women’s conference last February, Phyllis Hendry from Lead Like Jesus asked us what we would do with our lives if fear was not a hindrance. Immediately I knew my answer. For years I’ve dreamed of using my voice to speak words that give life and hope to weary hearts. Unfortunately, nothing has paralyzed my dreams quite like fear. Fear that my words won’t connect with people. Fear that my writing won’t be perfect. Or engaging. Or right.
A recent John Piper podcast addressed this very issue. Discussing the writing process, he made this statement: “Perfectionists rarely write books. They’re too busy [researching] everything.”
I also believe that perfectionists rarely write blogs, either. Questions like, “What are the techniques for successful storytelling?” have been paralyzing me for days. But after years of dreaming, I must simply begin. I must begin with the knowledge that sometimes my fears will become reality. My writing won’t ever be perfect, and sometimes it won’t be engaging or right. But we make progress when we commit ourselves to the process.
What about you? What would you do if fear was not involved? What dream has God put in your heart?
We are God’s beautiful work of art, created to do things that He has already prepared for us. Our part is simply to walk in them. And we’ll know the way we should walk; God has promised to show us.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Psalm 25:12
Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
I’d love to hear from you. What has kept you from pursuing a dream? What steps are you taking to see that your dream becomes a reality? How have you personally experienced progress when you committed yourself to the process?
Jill Hollingsworth 
Sharing your thoughts with the world wide intewebs is scary!! So proud of you for jumping in, and I look forward to reading more! 🙂 I am currently in a season of treading water, but I try to keep my dreams in mind so this season does not last forever!!
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Hi Rachel! It really is vulnerable. I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately since we saw each other at Wendy’s. I’m praying for you and your kids to be comforted and strengthened by God in a more powerful way than ever before! Love you, friend.
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So proud of you for overcoming your fears! My fears, the what ifs, are always what stop me too. You are always such an inspiration to me! Keep writing…
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Thank you, Jill!!
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aghhhhh!!! I love this! And love you! And i can totally relate to wanting to encourage others by doing what i also love —-TALKING!!!
Being on the “other side”(and making it out alive) of my young, dumb and why did i everrrrr do that” teenage years including having Hunter so young and “out of wedlock” and tons more crazy dysfunctional family situations—- i have alwayyyys felt led to talk to others going through similar situations and share my story(more like encyclopedia britanica sized volumes) of all that i— through God and His provision ALONE have been blessed to overcome, go through, grow through, and overall be STRENGTHENED as a result… I should have been a STATISTIC and had PLENTY telling me thats all david and i would amount to….. Yet here we are 20 years later!!!
Ive always said that the worst part of all i have gone through would be choosing not to—or better yet not actively and prayerfully seeking ways to use it—-for His Glory!!! I used to always say in a selfish/pity-party kind of way “WHY ME, God???” But now want to SCREAM with PURE JOY that it might just be “for such a time as this”!!!!
Okay— i’m feeling my Ramble On-meter telling me this was supposed to be JUST A COMMENT -which i have definitely exceeded!! But sharing how He has proven His awesomeness to me time and time again just gets me going on and on and on!
But i just couldnt resist letting you know how much i needed to read this!!! Thanks for your transparancy and being REAL by sharing your “fears”!!!! I am blessed to call you friend!!!
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I’m soooooo glad you commented, Lindsey!! I would personally LOVE to hear your story- I knew you had been through some tough things, but I don’t know the details. Praying now that God shows you ways to use what He’s done in your life to help others.
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Awww!!! Thank you for praying for that!! And YES i would LOVE to share it with you sometime!!
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Lindsey has an amazing story. I use her as an example to people A LOT. Love you, Lindsey! ❤️ And, I love your blog, Jill! You are genuine and sincere, and that speaks volumes to me.
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Thank you, Britta! I’m so glad to hear it. And I need to have coffee with Lindsey and hear all about this. I think I’m missing out!
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