“You’re a lot better off being scared than being bored.” ~ Harvey Mackay, Do What You Love, Love What You Do And Deliver More Than You Promise
No Time For Boredom
During a midlife divorce, you are not bored. You are lots of things, but bored is not one of them.
You are working overtime figuring out “what now?” and finding a new vision for your life, and that doesn’t leave any time left for boredom. Exhaustion, maybe. Fear, definitely. Boredom, no. That’s one very positive thing a midlife divorce will do: It makes you face fear head on. And you either give in to it or you conquer it.
Courage Can Be Learned
Every time you conquer fear, you get stronger and more courageous. Mackay says that, “What people don’t know is that courage can be learned.”
Airline pilots, firefighters, Marines… all are taught to conquer fear. They have to be able to overcome the emotion of fear, so that they are able to make sound decisions when a situation presents itself that demands clear thinking in spite of stressful and unpredictable circumstances. After we face a harrowing or dangerous situation and survive, we are less afraid the next time.
Confidence Is Birthed Through Survival
I know that once I made it through the recovery journey, I felt confident and was much less fearful than I was at the beginning of it all. Going through a divorce is one of the most difficult things someone can experience. And not only did I survive it, but I came out braver, and exhilarated by my new found courage!
Because I was forced to stand toe to toe with one of my greatest fears, I can now live life with less trembling. And here’s an added bonus: one reason that we can conquer fear is that God has promised His help and power. Take advantage of that. It makes all the difference.
“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you.” ~ 1 Chronicles 28:20 (NIV)
