Crippling Fear

There comes a time in everyone's life that they have to push past the fear that cripples them from making a difference in their own lives and the lives of others. How do you do it though? There is a common saying in the community of leaders that we chose to associate with..."Action conquers fear." So I guess Nike was on to something when they said "Just Do It". It just depends on the "it" you're talking about I guess. Obviously you don't want to "Just do it" if you're talking about something illegal, immoral or unethical, but if the thing you are avoiding could benefit the lives of many, including your own family then why not "just do it"? What really does hold us back? The fear of rejection? The fear of the unknown? The fear of succeeding at something that doesn't matter? There is a great quote I use in many areas of life...
"Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at something that does not really matter." - D.L. Moody
How profound is that?
I think about that fear that holds me back, the fear of the unknown...Esther had that same fear. Would her husband allow the guards to take her head if she went to him before being called on? Or would he have mercy on her and extend that gold scepter? She didn't know what would happen, but she knew what would happen if she didn't...imminent death for her and her people. So she mustered up the courage...well she fasted and prayed and leaned on the LORD's strength (appropriately so, I might add)...and went to the king. To her relief she found her husband to be merciful and was able to request another audience with him the next day in a more intimate, less life-threatening atmosphere, where she could serve him and "butter him up".
Leaning on the LORD for HIS divine strength...what a novel idea...why don't I think to do that more often? It seems the most logical and sensible thing to do, yet I still find myself, crippled with fear, wondering why I can't get anything accomplished in my life that I know I need to. Then I am reminded...I love those reminders...lean on HIS perfect strength...rely on HIS mercy to extend the golden scepter.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:9