"Overcoming Fear…" By Nancy Alexander
With Confidence & Trust in God
Lately in "Best of Nancy", my Coaching Site, we have been discussing the subjects of "fear" and "confidence".
Fear keeps us from stepping out and trying a lot of things at times, doesn't it? Well, I certainly have experienced this one, and I know that in my life fear has played a very big part of who I am vs. who I want to become as a child of God. Fear has affected my confidence in me and my abilities. Fear has controlled many situations, keeping me from experiencing the joy and freedom that we all want and need. Self-confidence, or the lack of it, takes away from life and doesn't give anything back.
Don't say it!! I know what you're thinking. You're thinking what many people tell me all the time. "No…. you definitely don't have a lack of confidence! You can't! Just look at all you have accomplished! You have several websites, a membership site, are well known on the Internet for your unique, and custom-designed wreaths"
The point I'm trying to make here is that the assumptions we make of others are not always true. It is very easy to put on a facade that hides the pain and loneliness which lies underneath. I am not saying this to gain sympathy. I don't want or need sympathy. I am saying this to help and encourage the many women who contact me daily and weekly. I am winning this battle – I am winning it with God's help! I know that each of YOU can win this battle also!!
There are so many things in our lives which hold us back and paralyze us with fear. Fear is debilitating. It can cause isolation, a severe lack of self-confidence, and it can totally take over your life. I know, because I fought many of these fears when – as a young woman of only 28 with two young children, I became sick. We went from doctor to doctor with many different diagnosis's – such as "housewife syndrome"! They were all totally ridiculous! I had to reach out and depend on God to help me face my fears, as well as build confidence and self-esteem.
Each of us in "Best of Nancy" has been discussing our fears and how we can overcome them. I am certainly NO expert in this area, but, at the same time, I have had a lot of experience working to overcome my fears. I have battled depression, panic attacks, lack of self-confidence, Fibromyalgia and Celiac Disease.
I overcame one particular fear after a friend and mentor, Jim Cockrum, and I were talking on the phone about how to grow my business. He suggested that I start filming videos in order to teach my students more effectively. Well, as I was answering him, "Yes, that would be a great idea…!", I was thinking to myself, "Absolutely not! I cannot do that — no way!"
God knew better! I finally did start filming videos. I have 19 of them for sale so far (in addition to many free ones). Yes, at first it was hard, it was scary, but now, I totally and completely enjoy getting to welcome all of my students into my studio while I teach them how to make something exceptional! The funny thing is, I can hardly stop talking while I am teaching — go figure!! And…I am still totally amazed when I go to my YouTube Channel: http://www.YouTube.com/LadybugWreaths and see that I have had over 739,000 views of my videos.
Now, for the main reason I started this post today… IT IS A PRAISE – IT IS A VICTORY!!
My husband, Steve and I go to NewSpring Church in Anderson. They have around 8,000 to 10,000 in attendance on any given Sunday in our church with multiple services. But, if you count New Spring's other locations, which also broadcast these services all over the state of SC, their total goes up to around 18,000. In addition to this, their services are spread all over the world by pod-casts.
One of my own personal fears has been to stand up in front of a group. Well, Steve had been asked to join the NewSpring choir this year. They normally only have a choir once a year. I went to the practice with him just planning on sitting, watching, and enjoying the wonderful music. After getting there, I was asked to sing with them. After several excuses, I finally gave in and walked up on the stage. The NewSpring band, and the music are a "big production" there. I totally enjoyed that because there were no people in the audience. We were singing to empty seats! I knew all along that there was NO WAY that I could get up there with the church full of several thousand people.
Steve and I missed the first performance, but were called when NewSpring decided to do an encore performance at last night's Sunday evening service. Thanks to the discussions we have been having in "Best of Nancy", I gathered what courage I had and went! I didn't know if I would even be able to walk out on the stage, let alone sing, but I went anyway.
Thanks to God's hand upon me and the calming of the Holy Spirit, I DID IT!!!!! I SANG MY HEART OUT BEFORE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE PRAISING GOD FOR ALL HE HAS DONE FOR ME. I COULDN'T STOP SMILING! I WAS NOT NERVOUS, I WAS SOOO HAPPY! And… you'll never guess the name of the song we sang. It was "OVERCOME"!!
