Finding the Courage to Start Small
Most people don’t want to start because they don’t want to be seen starting at the bottom.
Maybe you have a dream in your heart, a fitness goal, a business, or a book you want to start but you’re too afraid to do it because of how you might look when you’re starting out.
Zechariah 4:10 tells us not to despise the days of small beginnings because God can turn that small first step into something greater than we can imagine if we will have the courage to trust the dreams He’s put in our hearts and take a step of faith!
In today’s social media society we see what we think is an instant success, but in reality, most people aren’t posting their struggles. So we end up comparing ourselves, and our dreams to standards of perfection that aren’t real.
For instance, I have wanted to start this blog for many years, but I was filled with fear and apprehension because I didn’t know anything about blogging and I wanted it to be perfect before anyone saw it. However the only way to get better at anything is to start at the beginning, so this is me starting my blog! It’s far from perfect, and I only have one post so far(the one you are currently reading haha), but it’s a start! I’m learning and growing, and it feels good to finally put myself out there even if it’s a small step.
Often times we think we need to be perfect before we can start something, but then we never end up starting because nothing is ever perfect.
The enemy uses the fear of imperfection and starting out small to keep us from taking the steps we need to fulfill our God-given purposes, passions and dreams.
“The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy…” So don’t let social media and the fear of starting out small steal your joy, kill your passion and destroy your purpose.
Ecclesiastes 11:4 tells us not to wait for perfect conditions to start because perfect conditions won’t ever come and therefore we will never begin whatever it is we are trying to achieve.
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” - Arthur Ashe
Quit waiting to start pursuing your dreams and goals! Starting is the only way to finish!
How do you climb a staircase? One step at a time! Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
So have some faith and start whatever dreams you have in your heart! Don’t be afraid to start small and don’t despise the small days! After all, a tree starts out as a seed... How silly would it be if a seed was afraid to start growing because it wasn’t a tree already?
Sincerely your friend,
E
Photo credit: Michael Lark