I’ve been feeling a nudge, a pull towards something more, something bigger than myself. I think it might be God calling me to a specific purpose or path. But instead of feeling excited, I’m experiencing a lot of anxiety and fear. What are the common reasons why am I afraid of God’s calling, especially when the idea of serving Him should bring joy? Is it fear of failure, inadequacy, the unknown, or perhaps something else entirely? I’m looking for insight into the psychological and spiritual roots of this fear, and potentially, how others have overcome similar anxieties.
Answer
Fear of God’s calling can stem from a complex interplay of factors, both practical and spiritual. These fears are often deeply personal and can manifest differently in each individual.
1. Fear of Inadequacy and Failure:
- Lack of Skills or Qualifications: You might feel you lack the necessary skills, knowledge, experience, or education to fulfill what you perceive as God’s calling. This can manifest as a belief that you are not talented enough, intelligent enough, or capable enough.
- Fear of Messing Up: The responsibility associated with a divine calling can be overwhelming. The fear of making mistakes, failing to meet expectations (your own or others), or even inadvertently causing harm can be paralyzing.
- Self-Doubt: A lack of confidence in your abilities and a tendency to underestimate your potential can fuel the belief that you are simply not good enough for the task. This might be rooted in past experiences of failure or negative feedback.
- Unworthiness: Feelings of unworthiness, often stemming from past sins or shortcomings, can lead you to believe you are not deserving of such a significant role or opportunity. This can manifest as a sense that you are too flawed to be used by God.
2. Fear of the Unknown and Change:
- Disruption of Current Life: Embracing a divine calling often requires significant changes to your current lifestyle, career path, or relationships. The fear of disrupting a comfortable or familiar existence can be a major deterrent.
- Uncertainty About the Future: Stepping into the unknown can be frightening. You might fear not knowing what the future holds, where you will live, how you will support yourself, or what challenges you will face.
- Loss of Control: Surrendering to God’s will implies relinquishing control over your life’s direction. The fear of losing control and having your life dictated by a higher power can be unsettling.
- Fear of the Path: The specific steps involved in fulfilling a calling may be unclear or daunting. The lack of a clear roadmap can lead to anxiety and hesitation.
3. Fear of Judgment and Rejection:
- Social Stigma: Pursuing a less conventional or unusual calling might expose you to ridicule, criticism, or rejection from family, friends, or the wider community. You might fear being seen as strange, foolish, or misguided.
- Disappointment of Others’ Expectations: Your family or loved ones might have different expectations for your life. Fulfilling God’s calling might mean deviating from their plans and potentially disappointing them.
- Fear of Religious Criticism: Depending on the nature of the calling and your religious background, you might fear criticism or judgment from religious authorities or fellow believers who may not understand or agree with your path.
- Perceived Inability to Meet Others’ Needs: A calling may require you to prioritize certain tasks which means you might not be able to attend to everyone’s needs. This can be a cause of anxiety due to the fear of letting down the important people in your life.
4. Fear of Suffering and Sacrifice:
- Potential Hardship: Following God’s calling might involve facing hardship, persecution, financial struggles, or other forms of suffering. The fear of enduring pain and difficulty can be a powerful deterrent.
- Sacrifice of Personal Desires: Fulfilling a calling might require sacrificing personal ambitions, comforts, or possessions. The fear of giving up things that are important to you can be a significant obstacle.
- Fear of Loneliness: The path of a calling can be isolating. There might be times when you feel alone, unsupported, or misunderstood. The fear of loneliness can be particularly acute if the calling requires you to leave behind familiar relationships.
- Facing the Unknown: A calling may lead you into dark places where you must battle spiritual forces or face trials that you can’t imagine. These may be difficult to prepare for.
5. Misconceptions About God’s Calling:
- Perfectionism: The belief that you must be perfect before responding to God’s calling can lead to procrastination and self-condemnation.
- Overemphasis on Grandiose Visions: The expectation that a calling must be dramatic or extraordinary can cause you to overlook the subtle ways God might be leading you.
- Misunderstanding of God’s Grace: Failing to fully grasp the concept of God’s grace and forgiveness can lead to a sense of unworthiness and a reluctance to believe that God could use you despite your flaws.
- Believing Calling Equates to Easiness: Many believe if something is truly your calling, it will come easy, or at least easier than what you’re doing. This is untrue. Often, the things we are called to do are difficult, and can bring on many struggles, especially at first.
6. Spiritual Warfare:
- Discouragement: Negative thoughts, feelings of hopelessness, and a general sense of discouragement can be a tactic of spiritual warfare aimed at preventing you from fulfilling your potential.
- Deception: The enemy might try to deceive you into believing that the calling is not from God, that you are not capable, or that it will lead to destruction.
- Distraction: Temptations and distractions can pull you away from your focus and prevent you from pursuing your calling.
- Fear-mongering: The enemy may use fear as a weapon to paralyze you and prevent you from taking action.
7. Trauma and Past Experiences:
- Past Abuse: Abuse can cause victims to fear taking any action. They may fear rejection, punishment, or even being hurt again.
- Fear of Failure: If you were constantly told you were not good enough, you may fear taking on any new role and failing.
- Fear of Authority: If you have had issues with authority in the past, you may fear submitting to God’s will, who is the ultimate authority.
It is important to remember that fear is a normal human emotion. Acknowledging your fears, seeking guidance through prayer and scripture, and surrounding yourself with supportive and encouraging individuals can help you overcome these obstacles and step into the calling God has for you.
Pray This Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I come before you today, wrestling with a fear that chills me to the bone: Why am I afraid of your calling? You whisper in my heart, plant seeds of purpose in my soul, and yet, I recoil.
Is it fear of inadequacy, Lord? Am I afraid I won’t be good enough, strong enough, wise enough to answer your call? I look at my weaknesses, my flaws, my past failures, and they loom large, casting shadows of doubt.
Is it fear of the unknown, Lord? I cling to the familiar, the comfortable, the predictable. Stepping into your calling feels like stepping into the darkness, and I fear what I might find there. I fear the upheaval, the disruption, the potential for change.
Is it fear of sacrifice, Lord? I know that following your call might mean leaving behind cherished dreams, personal ambitions, or material comforts. The thought of relinquishing control, of surrendering my own will to yours, terrifies me.
Forgive me, Father, for letting fear hold me captive. Remind me that your power is perfected in my weakness. Remind me that your presence will always be with me, guiding and supporting me through every step of the journey. Remind me that your love is a beacon in the darkness, illuminating the path ahead.
Help me to trust you, Lord. Help me to release my grip on my own plans and embrace the adventure you have laid out for me. Grant me the courage to say “yes” to your calling, even when I am afraid.
Fill me with your Holy Spirit, that I may be bold, resilient, and unwavering in my commitment to you. Cast out all fear and replace it with faith, hope, and love.
I ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who willingly answered your call and gave his life for me.
Amen.