Do you remember the last time you did something for the first time?  How did you feel?  Maybe a bit sick to your stomach or anxiety filled?  Well you are not alone.

This morning I was watching a bit of the Today Show as Jamie Lee Curtis was sharing about her children book called, “My Brave Year of Firsts: Tries, Sighs and High Fives.”  I was encouraged with the message that celebrates the extraordinary, everyday bravery of trying new things for the very first time. Whether the character Frankie’s learning to ride a bike, love her first dog, make new friends (her very first twins), or help out her dad, she discovers that trying new things is how she grows—and that being brave enough to do so is what growing up is all about.

As kids, we tend to be naturally brave.  We climbed trees, road a roller coaster or took off on that brand new skateboard without fear.   But as we grew older, discouragement set in which lead us to loosing a sense of courage or bravery for trying new things.

Why continue to try new things? 

IT CHALLENGES YOU TO:

• Rely on your Savior.

• Allows His character to be developed inside of you.

• Teaches you about new abilities and gifts.

• Stimulates new areas of your brain.

• Opens up space for others to try.

• Allows you to live outside your comfort zone.

Recently, Jenny recommended the book Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers for me to read.  I have heard about this book for over two years but had not seen a copy of it until about 2 months ago.  She handed me the book and anxiety filled my soul.  Why?  Because I don’t believe I have ever read a fictional book that size ever in my life.  Shocking I know!

Now you may think what’s the big deal but for me it as like the thought of running a marathon when I had never trained before.

I took the challenge at the beginning of August reading slow and steady.  Many of the women reading it about the same time accomplished it within a week but for me that was not possible.  This was my race and I choose not to compare myself to anyone.

Last weekend with Hurricane Issac providing us many rainy days, I was able to put a large dent in the book.  I am happy to say by the end of tomorrow Wednesday, September 5, 2012 I will be complete, finished with this most amazing story that has affected the deepest parts of my soul.

At this point of my life, I was up for the challenge because I am modeling finishing for those watching me.  I thought how could I be encouraging my friends, clients and family to be finishers if I’m not willing to do it in this area of my life.

I am proud of myself and I look forward to sharing more about what the story meant to me in a future blog.

For now, I want to encourage you to do something for the first time. 

The best part you will receive by taking on a fearful first is you will be squeezed.  As a believer you have the Holy Spirit within you and it is through your daily experiences especially the fearful ones that God causes His character to come out of you.  Just like an orange you can’t tell whether it is juicy and yummy inside or dry and tasteless until you squeeze it.  Without those experiences that squeeze you, you never will experience the fullness of your God-given potential.

At the end of the interview, Jamie Lee Curtis mentioned about a fear of running a mile that she wanted to conquer.  She didn’t believe she could do it so she trained for a 5K and was able to overcome that fear.  She decided, she did it and she overcame a fearful first.  WOW!!!

I want to challenge you to try something new this month so you can experience the feeling of living outside of your comfort zone and to build confidence in you to do it again.

Fearful firsts will lead to not so fearful seconds and thirds and eventually not much fear at all in that particular experience.  Then go find another first to conquer.  YOU CAN DO THIS AND YOU CAN FINISH!!!  Michelle

So tell us about your fearful first you are going conquer.  Besides wanting to cheer you on, sharing with others will raise your committment to see it finished.  Share your comments above.

Thank you for sharing our blog and particularly this post.  You sharing it may just be the tool God uses in someone else’s life to experience the fullness of the living God inside of them.