Chapter 1: Quit Being Afraid of What Others Think

This first chapter of the book is a perfect place for this journey to emotional health to begin. We must realize how enslaved we are by what other people think about us. I had no idea how much the thoughts and opinions of others dictated not only my actions but my thought and feelings about myself. I want to be rooted deeply in the love of Christ and live from this reality, but I had to first come to grips with how much I was driven by what other people think about me. I lived in fear of rocking the boat and was only ok if you were ok with me.

Here are some additional resources to support the material found in Chapter 1:

1. Brene Brown in this interview (click here to listen) on Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations is amazing. The whole thing is great but at least listen around 2:40 where she talks about where her book Daring Greatly comes from. She will get you pumped for the hard work ahead of us!

2. Definition of Courage: to share all of yourself, your whole story with your whole heart (Brene Brown)

3. Geri’s first video that goes along with the book is on YouTube. You can watch it here. The first 13 mins are an overview of what the study is about and she gets to the meat of the chapter around 13:17. One of my favorites images of what it means to step out in security, knowing who I am in Christ is in this video. She talks about it feeling like you are stepping out on a tightrope and she finally realizes the net of the Gospel is under her. She has no reason to fear and nothing to prove to anyone! Give it a listen! Great stuff!

4. This is a podcast by Pete Scazzero on the parable of the talents. The whole sermon is great but around 34:30 he poses the question what will you do with your treasures? He says, “What faith it takes to believe that one’s life is noticed by God and that is enough.” I connect this to being confident of the net (which is the gospel/unconditional love and acceptance-image referred to in Geri’s video above) beneath us. Our view of God must be one of safety and goodness, gracious and loving. He can be trusted enough for us to step out on the tightrope. Give this sermon a listen and be brave to believe He has given you talents worth investing in.

5. Here is Pete preaching a sermon on the subject.