The most important lesson I’ve learned this year is that I will regret every decision I make out of fear.
Be it fear of not having enough money, fear of missing out, fear of how people perceive us, fear of being alone and single, fear of growing old, fear of disappointing others, fear of making the wrong choices, fear of failing, fear of not being good enough, etc.
It’s just not worth it to let fear dictate our lives. We just end up miserable and living a life shaped by circumstances and other people, instead of the life we are meant to live. It’s also a waste to live life with a victim mentality, to think life is unfair when we are fully capable of changing our perspective and actions. Sure, we cannot control circumstances and other people, but we sure as heck can control our reaction towards them.
That is not to negate how life is definitely tough and challenging, with people making it more complicated. We should accept circumstances as they come, acknowledge our emotions, learn how to overcome it and move forward in due time. If we refuse to overcome it or face reality, we will be stuck in bitterness and anger, only to realise later in life that it has taken control and made permanent damage in our lives.
When people hurt us, we should be able to see that their actions are a reflection of themselves, of their own traumas and experience. But that doesn’t mean we should be a doormat or to accept the way they treat us if it is abusive and/or toxic. It is worth confronting and saying it is not okay, or dissociate yourself from that person. It is ultimately a choice that you make, whether to let bitterness and fear drive you.
The only thing we need to fear is God, and that is a reverent fear that helps us know God and motivates you to obey God.
If only I start practicing what I preach.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1 John 4:18
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Proverbs 9:10
Metamorphosis 