Fear gets a bad reputation. It’s often seen as the enemy—the thing that holds us back, keeps us small, and convinces us we’re not ready. But what if fear was never meant to stop us? What if fear was actually designed to guide us?
Judi Holler says, “Fear shows up to keep you in one piece.” That means fear isn’t here to break you; it’s here to protect you. It alerts you to the unknown, the uncomfortable, and the uncertain. And in doing so, it invites you to make a choice:
Do you retreat? Or do you step forward, despite the fear?
Fear Is a Compass
Fear doesn’t just show up randomly. It appears when you’re about to step into something bigger—whether that’s launching a business, taking a leadership role, writing the book, or speaking on a stage.
Fear is like an internal GPS, highlighting the direction where growth happens.
If it didn’t matter, fear wouldn’t show up.If it wasn’t part of your purpose, fear wouldn’t try to get your attention.
That’s why we can be grateful for fear. Instead of resisting it, we can acknowledge it as a sign that we’re on the right path. The presence of fear doesn’t mean we’re weak—it means we’re about to do something brave.
You Can’t Be Brave Without Fear
Bravery isn’t the absence of fear. In fact, you can’t be brave without being scared first. The two are inseparable.
Judi Holler reminds us, “Braveness requires action.”
Bravery is a choice. It’s deciding to take the step even when your hands are shaking, your heart is racing, and your mind is filled with doubt.
🔥 Bravery is hitting ‘publish’ on that blog post.
🔥 Bravery is saying yes to the opportunity.
🔥 Bravery is speaking up in the meeting.
🔥 Bravery is walking into the room alone.
It doesn’t mean you have it all figured out. It just means you’re willing to move forward, despite the fear.
How Fear Keeps Us Stuck
Fear has many disguises. It doesn’t always show up as paralyzing anxiety or panic. Sometimes, it sneaks in quietly as:
Guilt – Telling you that choosing yourself means abandoning others.
Self-Doubt – Whispering that you’re not ready, not qualified, or not capable.
Perfectionism – Making you believe you need to have it all figured out before taking action.
Comparison – Convincing you that you’re already behind, so why try?
Busyness – Tricking you into thinking that putting everyone and everything else first is the noble thing to do.
And let’s be honest—it’s easy to stay stuck. It’s comfortable. It feels safe to remain in familiar patterns, to keep saying, “Maybe next year,” or to tell yourself you’re too busy, too tired, or too unprepared to make a change.
But deep down, we know that staying stuck is costing us something: our dreams, our well-being, our joy, and our future selves.
Fear Will Keep You from Loving Yourself
“Fear hates for you to love yourself, because when you do, you become the boss, not fear.” (Judi Holler, 2019)
Let that sink in.
Fear thrives when you:
🚫 Doubt yourself.
🚫 Put everyone else first.
🚫 Stay stuck in old patterns.
But when you truly love yourself, fear loses its grip. Because love fuels courage. Love reminds you that you’re worthy of the risk.
Fear will tell you:
🚨 You’re not ready.
🚨 You’re not good enough.
🚨 You might fail.
But here’s what fear won’t tell you:
✅ You might win.
✅ You are more capable than you realize.
✅ You don’t need permission to move forward.
Kicking Fear to the Curb
So, how do we move past fear when it feels so real?
Acknowledge It – Instead of pushing fear away, recognize it. “Fear, I see you. But you don’t get to decide for me.”
Shift the Narrative – Instead of saying, “I’m scared, so I won’t,” say, “I’m scared, so I must.”
Take Small Actions – Bravery doesn’t always require grand gestures. It’s built in small moments—pressing ‘send’ on the email, speaking up, applying for the position, or showing up when you feel unqualified.
Prioritize Self-Love – If fear grows in the absence of self-love, then self-love is the antidote. Care for yourself, affirm yourself, and remind yourself that no matter what happens, you will be okay.
Surround Yourself with Courageous People – The right community makes all the difference. Find women who are also stepping out in faith, challenging themselves, and refusing to stay stuck.
Welcoming Fear and Taking Action
Instead of fighting fear, what if we welcomed it? What if we said, “Thank you, fear, for reminding me that I’m stepping into something significant. Thank you for showing me that this matters.”
Fear isn’t the problem. Staying stuck because of fear is.
So today, let fear be your compass. Let it remind you that what you’re about to do is important. And then, be brave enough to act anyway.
Because the life you desire—the impact, the influence, the success—is on the other side of choosing bravery.
How will you welcome fear today?
About the Author
La Tanya D. Walker is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Leadership Coach, and Change Agent dedicated to helping high-performing women in ministry, business, and leadership cultivate emotional wellness, mental clarity, and purpose-driven success. Through Authentic Perspectives Counseling & Coaching, she provides professional counseling, leadership development, and strategic mentorship to support personal and professional transformation.
Ministry: www.latanyadwalker.org
Counseling & Coaching: www.authenticperspectivescc.com
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