Fear of Failing
By
Lexi Cole Ellis
The
Lord is my light and my salvation - - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the
stronghold of my life - - of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm
27:1 (NIV)
This year has been
really healthy for me professionally. As I looked back at previous years of
teaching, I realized I often spent time considering other instructional
strategies to try, but was hesitant about implementing them because of a fear
of failing. My over-thinking and the fear of what others would think held me
back in incorporating new strategies for my students.
This changed through a
positive encounter with my new administrator. As I shared ideas I wanted to
try, I was shocked at her excitement. She encouraged me to keep taking risks
and that it would be okay if it didn’t work perfectly every time.
In an environment where
teachers are under continual pressure to be perfect, this permission to try new
instructional formats to best help my students was incredibly freeing. I began
incorporating techniques, meeting with other teachers, and working on multiple
taskforces for new district proposals on what individualized, personalized
learning can realistically look like in different kind of classrooms. Is each
thing I try perfection? Not at all. But I’ve seen incredible results across the
board in my students. This freedom and support has energized my teaching in a
healthy way, replacing my fear of failing and of my inadequacies. I now have
this sign[1] by my desk:
I recently heard
Matthew West’s song, “Day One,” on the radio.
“I
wish I wasn't wishing anymore
Wish
I could remember that nobody's keeping score
I'm
tired of throwing pennies in a well
I
gotta do something
Here
goes nothin'
It's
day one of the rest of my life.” [2]
I began to realize my
fear of failing wasn’t exclusive to my teaching. As I work to be in the Word
and improve my prayer life, this “day one” mentality has become applicable and
easier to live out. As I look at Scripture, I see stories of those willing to
take risks for the Lord. Imagine what could happen if I was willing to take
risks for His Kingdom, to be in the Word and in prayer, so I could discern what
God’s direction was and be bold in my faith.[3] I will not let the fear of
failing prevent me from living out my calling. It’s day one...have you rejected
the fear of failing?
1. What do you need to
do to so the fear of failing doesn’t consume you?
2. Take time to listen
to Matthew West’s song “Day One” today. (Click HERE to listen to it.)
FURTHER READING:
[3] Our small group
just finished Max Lucado’s book /study “Fearless” and the book elaborated on
this as well.
Lexi
and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable puppy named Calvin. She teaches sixth
grade at Silver Lake Intermediate School. She serves with Children’s Ministries
and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.
