When Courage Meets Fear: The Fourth Article in the Series

In a previous article, we discussed the actions necessary to muster up courage in the face of fear.

It's important to understand that when we avoid confronting our fears, they don’t simply fade away, but they remain within us and often grow stronger. A person who lacks the courage to face their fears tends to visualize negative scenarios before each potential challenge.

Before meeting people, a person might create a mental dialogue convincing themselves that they won’t be able to express themselves clearly or persuasively. They picture themselves standing awkwardly on the side while everyone else is talking- or worse, imagine everyone laughing at what they say.

This type of thinking takes place, even if the person ultimately avoids the threatening situation. The only way to stop these painful feelings is to shatter the fear into pieces, through courage and bravery that lead to new experiences, opening the door for positive encounters that can completely shift the internal narrative.

Fears as Boundaries

Our fears often serve as the boundaries of our lives, and mark the lines we feel that we are unable to cross. These lines aren’t always based on logic or real limitations, but may simply indicate places we’ve never been before- and because they are unfamiliar, we fear them. Every first-time experience triggers anxiety, and that anxiety draws a mental boundary line that we then hesitate to cross.

Occasionally fear creates necessary and healthy boundaries. When a person is afraid to drive recklessly or to hurt others, that’s a positive kind of fear, and in such instances, “courage” would be entirely inappropriate. However, in many other situations, our fears are baseless and irrational and are worth breaking through. The limits they set for us are artificial, and the sooner we break them, the better off we are.

Fears related to spiritual growth, speaking in public, meeting new people, or trying something new do not serve us. They place unnecessary restrictions on us, ultimately preventing growth and success. Each time we break through one of these boundaries and bravely overcome the fear, we grow, evolve, and expand our sense of capability and self-confidence.

Fears may create boundaries, but that doesn’t mean we are unable to overcome them. Those who are paralyzed by fear treat it as a warning sign that reads: “Danger ahead—turn back!” But those who rise above fear and thrive, are the ones who acknowledge the boundary but know that it can be safely crossed.

Courageous individuals seek out challenges and run toward them. They understand that fear is a sign they’re approaching a boundary and nearing a breakthrough. It’s a signal that they are close to becoming the person they could be. Fear lets them know they are nearing the edge of their current limitations.

For these people, fear becomes a challenge and becomes a drive to prove to themselves that they can overcome the obstacle, break through, and keep moving forward, toward their next destination.