Often, when we hear of people running away from what they're afraid to confront...the initial thought or assumption is they're running away from something harmful. What many people don't realize is, the majority of people who practice escapism...run away from what actually will bless them. That type of fear is achievemephobia. Achievemephobia is the fear of success, which is akin to the fear of failure, but it is a social phobia that holds one back in life...due to the fear of what may happen to them if they succeed. A common case of this occurs with pursuing careers or relationships, when the person suffering from this particular phobia sees progress in an area of their life...they take flight. If they start succeeding at their job, they may subconsciously sabotage themselves , so they will be fired. Or, if they meet someone that has a mutual romantic interest in them... they were either pursue others romantically or distance themselves from that person. Either way, they take flight because they're afraid of the potential blessing, and what may lie ahead for them. This particular fear prevents them from progressing or from achieving their goals, and seeing the manifestation of joy in their life.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”
2 Timothy 1:7 HCSB
There are many causes of this fear. One of them is the uneasy feeling of what will happen to them , once they achieve their goals. Another cause is comparing present circumstances to past experiences...having self doubt in how they or others will handle their success. Either way, this phobia is wrapped up in a focus on self rather than focusing on God. When you're focused on God, and His love for you... you won't have time to focus on what the enemy wants you to focus on, which is doubt and self.
Often you hear people say, that they want what God wants for them… But, this is often a cover for their fears. Most people see this when it comes to relationships. They will say they want what God has for them, while turning down potential relationships with others out of fear. Sometimes, what you're most afraid of having … is often what God is trying to bless you with.
One way of overcoming this fear is by praying to God about it, and feeling the fear… pursuing your goals and dreams anyway. The only way you're going to achieve any success in your life, or experience the abundant joy that God wants to bless you with… is by stepping out in faith.
“Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. For our ancestors won God’s approval by it. By faith we understand that the universe was created by God’s command, so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible.”
Hebrews 11:1-3 HCSB
So the choice is yours, are you going to choose to be bound by the fear the enemy wants you to be captive to? Or, are you going to receive the blessings that God has in store for you so that you may have life and have it more abundantly… and experience the joy that He intended you to have, to honor His name and glorify him? The choice is yours. Choose wisely.
“I call Heaven and Earth to witness against you today: I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live. And love GOD, your God, listening obediently to him, firmly embracing him. Oh yes, he is life itself, a long life settled on the soil that GOD, your God, promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
