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 by my desk:
[1]
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?
GOING
DEEPER:
- What do you need to do to so the fear of failing doesn’t
consume you?
- Take time to listen to Matthew West’s song “Day One”
today. (Click HERE to listen
to it.)
FURTHER
READING:
Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin.
Lexi teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing. She serves with Children’s
Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.
[3] Our small group just finished Max
Lucado’s book /study “Fearless” and the book elaborated on this as well.
