Why Fear Keeps Us Stuck and How Faith Helps Us Finally Start

As 2025 comes to a close I realize that I have been stuck on trying to write a blog post for about two weeks now. I can’t begin to tell you how many countless thoughts and ideas I’ve had on what to write about and just have failed at getting it done. This seems to have been one of the overarching themes of my life for this year, learning in real time how difficult it can be to overcome fear and trust God when you are standing at the edge of something new. It is as if I am waiting for some magical dump of ideas to just come tumbling out of wherever and voila I create some magnificent piece of writing to deliver to my faithful, but small audience. That has not happened.

And then just like that, I realize that I have been fearful about acting on certain ideas, because despite a part of me wanting to be transparent via my blog, there’s still a part of me that is fearful about being seen. Now you will probably say Kayla that doesn’t make any sense. I know I know. Trust me I’ve toggled with these thoughts for a while now, and I even had a conversation with my pastor regarding this matter in just a general conversation. In that conversation, I told him how I have had so many ideas on things to do as it relates to career moves, personal moves and for some reason when it’s time to take the leap, I get stuck at the edge of the cliff and I failed to launch.

Is it that I don’t trust myself enough to be successful with whatever it is I’m trying? Is it that I don’t trust God with those dreams that He gave me? The answer is both, unintentionally both.

There are so many scriptures in the Bible that reference fear, and I’ve read them, yet here I am still fearful about so many things that I want to do. How did I get here? More importantly, what do I do about it?

I recently purchased Atomic Habits by James Clear and I’ve started reading with hopes that I can create new habits and break negative old ones that have had me stuck. What I am slowly learning is that fear does not always show up as panic or chaos. Sometimes fear looks like procrastination. Sometimes it looks like overthinking. Sometimes it looks like waiting on perfection or permission when neither is required.

Fear can exist even when you love God. Fear can exist even when you pray. Fear can exist even when you are capable, educated, and called.

The Bible does not ignore fear. It acknowledges it, and then it tells us how to move anyway.

Isaiah 41:10 reminds us, “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Second Timothy 1:7 tells us, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

Proverbs 3:5–6 instructs us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Joshua 1:9 is direct and clear, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

And Psalm 56:3 simply says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

None of these scriptures promise that fear will never show up. They tell us what to do when it does.

As we move into a new year, I am realizing that faith without action quietly turns into stagnation, and action without faith turns into burnout. If you are like me and trying to break the habit of getting in your own way, here are a few practical ways to start doing that differently.

First, shrink the goal. You do not have to launch the entire vision. You only need one small step that feels manageable. One page written. One phone call made. One account created. Fear thrives in big vague plans, but it weakens when faced with small clear actions.

Second, decide before fear gets a vote. Write the next step down. Put it on your calendar. When the time comes, do it imperfectly. Fear is loud when we let it speak last.

Third, build habits that support courage, not just productivity. Start reinforcing a new identity. Tell yourself the truth, I follow through, I trust God with my ideas, I finish what I start. Repetition matters when you are undoing years of self doubt.

Fourth, separate obedience from outcome. Your responsibility is movement. The result is not yours to manage. When you try to control both, fear takes over.

Finally, allow yourself to be seen a little at a time. Visibility does not have to be all or nothing. Share one thought. Publish one post. Take one step forward. Courage grows with use.

As this year ends, I am not promising myself a fear free life. I am committing to a faithful one, even when fear shows up uninvited.

What is one thing fear talked you out of this year that you are ready to try again?