My anxiety level is on 10!
“What if I fail? What if I can’t perform up to an optimum level? What if something comes up that I have no experience in whatsoever?”
These are just some thoughts running through my head as I get ready to start a new position. That’s right! After 21.5 years of service, I will be moving on to a newly formed corporate entity, which is being spun off from my current employer. I had to choose to stay with my current organization or go to the “new” company.
I’m sure you’re probably asking yourself, “Why would you choose the new company, Tamara? Couldn’t you stay with your current employer and move higher up the chain? You’ve been there for so long!”
There are multiple reasons, but here are the ones I feel compelled to share with you. For a very long time, I’ve been speaking on living on faith. I’ve been encouraging my clients and mentees to take a step in faith, trust God, and move forward to manifest God’s promises. There was an internal conflict within me when this opportunity was presented. It would have been so easy for me to stay in the position that I knew; in the place where I was a subject matter expert. Yet, I knew it was time to take this step of faith. Why? Because I was too comfortable.
When I think about all the Bible characters called by God to do His work, I realize something very peculiar: most of them had excuses! Abraham said he was too old. Moses said he couldn’t speak. Esther believed herself to be no one to stand up for her people. Gideon said he was the weakest of his clan. And the list keeps going! What excuse was I going to give God to move forward in faith? “Sorry, God. I’m comfortable here. This is what I know!” NO WAY! If I’m going to encourage others to step out of their comfort zones and believe in God, then I am going to lead the way. And, here I go!
Beyond the call of God to trust Him through this process and my life, I had to get out of my comfort zone. While I wasn’t content or complacent, I was comfortable. This move will present me with new learnings, new levels of exposure, new experiences, and the unique opportunity to help "stand-up" newly formed departments and structures. But my insecurities and doubts, that’s right - I have them too, have caused me to question if this was the right move. How could I not have these apprehensions? I’ve been with my current organization for over 21 years!
Here’s the thing with comfort zones; you always cap out. What do I mean by that? You don’t have room to grow and become a better version of yourself in your comfort zone. You’re not challenged to educate yourself on things you wouldn’t normally do. We have to expand our minds and open ourselves up to experience something new. New opportunities, new learnings, and new experiences set us up for new levels! I'm stepping out in faith and stepping out of my comfort zone!
Do you remember all those questions I was asking myself? Those limiting beliefs? Those same limiting beliefs are one of my reasons for moving to this new company. If my Bible says, “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me," why did I doubt myself when it came to this new chapter in my life? There may be two culprits: Me or the enemy, or even both.
Sure, there are plenty of times we can doubt our skill sets and question if we’re going to do well in a new place and a new position, but some of these doubts made me question my value. I quickly had to go to my source and see what He said about me to conquer these lies.
“…Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9.
“God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect” Psalm 18:32
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare, and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” Jeremiah 29:11.
“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” - Matthew 6: 26
And as I continue reading this scripture in Matthew, it gives me even more encouragement.
“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?... Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” - Matthew 6: 27 & 34.
With these promises from God and facts about how important I am to God when I don’t deserve to be, who am I to block my blessing? God wants to bless me not just for me but to bless others and honor His name. It was time to rewire my thinking and align it with the word of God and move forward, take the territory that God has for me, and walk boldly and fearlessly in purpose in this new season.
These same promises are reserved for you, but you have to take them and move forward in faith. Is it easy? Absolutely not! But, I can promise you this: it will be worth it. Some of your most challenging battles are only a setup for your biggest come-up. Those problematic situations are the ones that grow you and mold your character, getting you ready for the people you’re assigned to help. My story won’t be the same as yours, but I hope that in some small way, it plants a seed of hope that will give you a vision into a future you couldn’t have imagined. You’ve got this, lady!
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