The Launch
/Have you ever been hesitant to step out and do something you know you need to do? Often times it’s fear of the unknown, fear of failure, hey, there’s even a fear of success that holds us back. Yet all of the reasons we find to not do something, cannot outweigh or quench that feeling we have when we know we are supposed to be doing something new.
I had an experience like that. I knew I was supposed to be launching out into a God-given calling. It was a place of uncertainty and that all too familiar feeling of fear, where all of the what if‘s began rolling through my head and I must admit, I was dragging my heels. Quite frankly, I was in somewhat of a comfortable, “stable” place. I was good and adjusted.
The draw, the need to reach higher was certainly making me apprehensive. Feelings of inadequacy were resurfacing and I had to push past all the hindrances and voices in my head and launch out. All the while I knew that the resistance was to keep me from entering into another phase of my journey. Fear of the unknown can paralyze you so you won’t go forward, but despite my many fears I decided to take a leap. With help and support I organized and incorporated Helen Wilk Ministries in the beginning of 2008.
When we listen to the call of God and walk in obedience, we do not become exempt from trials. If anything, we’ll find more obstacles and hindrances in our lives than before. For me it was sickness. I hadn’t been feeling well for some time. I had different strange sensations, sharp nerve like pains in random places and after describing the nerve pain in my face, my doctor sent me to a neurologist. An MRI showed many lesions on the brain consistent with Multiple Sclerosis and following different tests and a spinal tap, they confirmed the diagnosis. Needless to say, this was as good a reason as any to slow down, take it easy and regroup. Talk about combating negative voices in my head and a new set of uncertainties!
It was all very surreal. You know it’s like a jolt (of which I’ve experienced many in my life) and I found myself struggling between denial, faith, acceptance, helplessness. I never said, “why God?” My relationship with Him is deeper than that and I was confident I wasn’t alone - I knew I had God and the support of my family and friends. But at times like these, all of your senses say “stop!”, “I don’t want to do this”, “I don’t want the meds”, “I don’t have time for this.” After being swept along this fast, somewhat raging river, I needed to pause; a time out to recognize that this is the same obstacle with a different face. The sole purpose of my diagnosis is to keep me from continuing to launch - the enemy hates movement. Despite all of this, I choose to move. Since the time HWM was first founded, we have been ministering and touching the lives of people locally on Long Island through events and mentorship classes, but today I’m so excited to share the next stage of influence - our new website, social media channels, and video devotional. I have confidence and determination to not walk, but run this part of my journey.
“Wherefore seeing we are also compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” - Hebrews 12:1
If you or a loved one is in a situation that seems impossible, please encourage yourself or them with this message.
