Habitually battle the fear of failure. Most people may be timid in approaching new problems, and some may even have some anxiety with lesser problems. But, the fear of failure isn’t a constant battle that enters into their every goal and task... Just to be rid of it for a week would be a real.

Vacation from fear
Ancel Lewis

Fear of failure was a real battle with me. I was fearful of failing in school, of doing poorly in classes, of even failing to complete school. In sports I feared forgetting plays and of not being good enough to participate on the team. In speech I was fearful of expressing myself correctly. Fear of failure was a real part of my early years.

Overcoming fear was one of my deepest needs My goals weren’t astronomical, they were sensible: get a good education, a good job, modest wealth, quality things, a beautiful home and a loving family, just like my parents. If I hadn’t had a stable home, loving, supportive parents, my fears might have won.

During my early years, they made sure that I was in church every Sunday. Additionally, I regularly attended Sunday school youth groups and Summer camps. At age 15, much to my parents delight. I went through a communicants class, joined the church and made a public profession of faith. In spite of my fears, I was able to graduate with a law degree, get married, launch a patent law office, and begin raising a family of four children.

But there was something missing. All through these years, in church and at work, I met several people who had a a real and vital relationship with Jesus. I was always impressed with the reality of their firsthand, continuous, intimate terms with him. And I always wanted the same for myself. I felt I was missing the intense relationship with the Son of God that they had.

Then something kind of providential happened. Shortly after marriage to Gwen we moved to Colorado. My wife and I attended a Navigator Bible seminar. The program leader was one of those intimate friends of Jesus. He led me in a prayer in which I confessed my sins and asked Jesus to become the Lord and Savior in my life. It seemed more like an affirmation of what I had already done when I was only 15, than a benchmark in my life.

But this time something new happened. Since that prayer, my fear of failure has lifted. I have a new sense of peace and joy that I never could have imagined possible. Even my fear of death has vanished. I no longer have a problem with self confidence, nor do I have to measure up to the success of others. My confidence now is in the grace and enabling of Almighty God. Remembering my past feelings, it’s like God has given me a permanent vacation from fear.

Additionally, I have become more interested in what God has to say about everything. I am studying the Bible more and participating in Bible study groups. The more I study the more I want to learn. I have gained new wisdom and insight, I enjoy prayer, and recently have began keeping a journal of God’s Grace in my life. I now enjoy sharing my interest and the excitement of salvation with other people. I truly appreciate the words written by the Apostle Paul in II Cor. 5:17.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation the old has passed away, the new has come.
For me, a major part of becoming a new creature was the (overcoming of ) loss of fear of failure.
Jesus Christ is now a real and vital part of my life. I have the same intimate relationship with him that I had admired in others. And I wasn’t the only one who wanted our relationship. He wanted it too. And he wants the same for everyone. That includes you.

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Cor 5:16 17 (NIV)