We’re almost all the way through the month of June and if you’re like me, it’s really starting to feel like summer. At my house, the weather has been sunny and warm, with random rain showers. I’ve already had a few trips to the beach and even a sunburn. My kids just finished school last week, so summer is still quite young.
This week, I’m kicking off a special summer newsletter series. Over the next few weeks, I’m going to be sharing pieces of my Set Up Summer coaching session. As I have walked through this framework for myself and my family, I have seen so much growth and fruit. I truly believe there is fruit for you, even with just a little bit of intention for this summer.
Let’s start with fear. Maybe that’s not what you were thinking I was going to say. I think fear is a great place to start though because it’s hard to dream, create vision, define productivity correctly, or make a move if we’re living in fear; if we’re filtering our thoughts through fear. I’d like to ask you a question,
What makes you nervous, scared, or hold back this summer?
Take a few minutes and honestly assess what is making you nervous, scared or holding back this summer? What would it look like to step into summer replacing fear with confidence and freedom? If we take the time to name and identify our fears, we can move through them and eventually past them. For me, that means fighting fear with truth. I know that this summer is going to look different than any past summers and that makes me nervous. I fear that it’s not going to go well, or I’m going to take it too far, or I’m going to look like a fool for trying.
I’m reminded of 2 Timothy 1:7. Verse 7 tells us that God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love and self-discipline. I’m encouraged as this verse speaks to my fearful heart. My summer plans and intentions do not come from a place of fear. I’m not planning and organizing and setting goals and vision from fear. I’m not avoiding certain outcomes or reactions. With a spirit of love and power I’m giving my summer intention and freedom. I’m moving into the plans that God has set on my heart with self-discipline and love. I’m replacing my fear with truth.
So…what makes me nervous, scared, or hold back this summer? For me, it’s failure. I’ve been holding back because if I don’t try then I don’t fail. I’m realizing that this summer is more important than my fear of failure. This summer is a gift from God and I’m not interested in wasting it on possible failures.
What’s holding you back this summer? What’s scaring you into not even trying? Don’t live in fear, but speak truth over your heart and remind your soul that as a beloved daughter of God you do not live in fear, but power and love and self-discipline.
Power, Love, Self-Discipline
Let’s quickly define these words, so we can see how powerful they are when we’re talking about fear.
- Power speaks to God’s power in us, rather than our own power. When we are stepping into the power of Holy Spirit we are accessing the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and took us from darkness into light.
- Love reminds us to love God and love others with everything that we have, think, speak, and do. Love is at the heart of God and should be at the core of who we are as children of God.
- Self-discipline reflects a spirit of calm, peace, and control. This is very different than paniced or frenzied chaos.
As always, I’d love to hear from you. How I can be praying for you this week, your thoughts on stepping forward without pressure, shame, or expectation on yourself. Any questions you have regarding coaching or speaking, reply and let me know. I am praying for you as you walk into this summer!
Abigail
Abigail Denton 