Yesterday I told you guys how much of a struggle anxiety is in my life. The truth is, it holds me back from doing a lot of things I'd like to do. For me, one of the biggest obstacles to living a more fulfilled life is simply showing up. So often I say "no" out of fear or anxiety, when "yes!" is what I should say.
Sometimes our no's are valid. Maybe we're too busy or have something else going on. Maybe the risk is too great. So often, though, we say no because we are afraid of the unknown.
A few years ago, Dan and I were invited to spend 10 days in India. To speak frankly, India has never been on my must-see list. I'd read and heard enough to make it sound incredibly uncomfortable and I didn't think I'd ever go. After talking it over with Dan though, I relented.
In the 10 days we were traveling, we were escorted by a driver who we presume was trafficking drugs, I got hit by a car, and many homeless and destitute people clung to us, begging for us to give them money or buy their wares. There's the constant blaring of horns day and night, and the poverty and squalor is heart-wrenching. How best to explain India? It's an assault on all the senses: color everywhere, blaring noise, foul stenches, dirt under your fingernails, and an explosion of flavor (that one I actually appreciate). I spent 10 days incredibly overwhelmed.
But do I regret going? No way.
I said "yes" to a trip I knew would take me far out of my comfort zone, but what I got in return was an experience I'd never imagined. Spending 10 days in a place so different from my home changed me in ways I didn't expect, and I came home with stories that make people say, "Are you serious?!"
Sometimes saying "yes!" feels like going down the interstate at 60 miles an hour the wrong direction (yes, that happened to me in India). It's scary to say yes, to step out on faith into the unknown, but saying yes to something I was so afraid of (and surviving!) made saying "yes!" again even easier.
Have you ever said "yes!" to something you were afraid to do? How did it turn out? Tell me about it in the comments!
Almost anything I say yes to is a challenge for me. Yesterday I said yes to going to my niece's baby shower. In August I said yes to staying with my lovely daughter and her family for a couple of weeks to help them settle into their new home. In May I said yes to having house guests for 2 months. In December I said yes to staying with my daughter and helping care for her and her 6 month old son while she recovered from back surgery, and while her husband was at work. Last April I said yes to what sounds like a dream come true to many people, but the thought of created much anxiety in me, a three week trip through the Pacific Northwest by travel trailer. I could keep going, but you get the picture. Benign Essential Blepharospasm is the reason for my reluctance to do so many wonderful things, because it causes uncontrollable spasms of my eye and facial muscles. It is uncomfortable, tiring, and causes me to have temporary blindness (because of being unable to open my eyes on demand). Now, of course, you, as my daughter, know all of this; but your readers may not. At the Lord's urging I started saying yes to any and all opportunities He laid before me. Although each would come with huge challenges, they also came with great blessings. I say "yes" and God shows up! It's still awkward and uncomfortable, but never without the benefit of His assistance and blessings. I'm saying "yes" to something now that I don't even know what it is yet! And I know He will come through and I will be so glad I said yes!
ReplyDeleteI know this about you too, and you have been an inspiration to me to continue to take the risk to say yes and see what the Lord has in mind. I have yet to regret that decision. <3
Sorry, that was not April, it was last September that we made our trip to the PNW! :)
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