Facing Impossible Odds (And Taking Action When You're Wrestling With Fear)
What to Do When You Know What Needs Done But Fear Says 'Wait'
The Moment That Defined Us
A warrior named Benaiah stood at the edge of a snowy pit, staring down at a massive lion pacing below.
Winter had driven the beast to desperation, and now it was trapped—but so was any hope of safe passage. Everyone else had taken the long way around. The sensible thing would be to wait for help, find another route, or simply declare the situation too dangerous.
Instead, Benaiah jumped into the pit and killed the lion with his bare hands.
Sound familiar?
Ok, not the lion part, obviously. But that moment when you know what needs to be done? When the safe choice is to wait, avoid, or find excuses? But something inside you knows courage is required right now?
If you're nodding along, you're not alone. I feel you.
In my years of ministry and military, I've seen this pattern thousands of times. Career decisions. Difficult conversations. Leadership moments that demand immediate action.
Here's what I've learned from Benaiah's story:
The most defining moments in our lives aren't when we have perfect conditions. They're when we choose decisive action despite imperfect circumstances.
I want to show you how Benaiah's approach provides a framework for taking action when fear tells you to wait.
The Hidden Psychology Behind "Waiting for Perfect Timing"
Research reveals something fascinating: people delay important decisions 3 times longer than necessary when risk factors are present.
But here's what research doesn't capture—it's not the actual risks that paralyze us. It's our story about what taking action in imperfect circumstances says about us.
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
In my experience, people avoid bold action because they've assigned catastrophic meaning to imperfect conditions:
Starting a business without certainty means they're reckless
Having difficult conversations without knowing outcomes means they're stirring up trouble
Pursuing a calling without perfect qualifications means they're presumptuous
The Real Cost of Waiting
The costs compound daily:
Opportunities pass
Problems worsen
Reasonable caution becomes chronic hesitation
Delayed action costs people an average of 18 months of progress in career transitions and relationships.
The deeper cost? Gradual erosion of trust in your own courage. Disconnection from your God-given purpose.
The pattern I see repeatedly: "Analysis Paralysis" disguised as wisdom.
The good news? Once you recognize it, you can apply Benaiah's systematic approach to break it.
Recognizing Your Pattern: Paralyzed by Preparation
This is Pattern 4: Paralyzed by Preparation from the "W" in my A.W.A.R.E.™ Framework - "Waiting for the Perfect Moment (CONTROL)."
You're always preparing but never pulling the trigger.
How It Shows Up
Substituting endless preparation for actual action. You believe more preparation provides certainty. But preparation becomes sophisticated procrastination.
You Might Recognize This If You’re:
"Getting ready to get ready" for months on the same goal
Requiring 90% certainty before taking 10% action
Researching so thoroughly you could teach it—but still haven't acted
Benaiah's Breakthrough: He didn't wait for ideal conditions. He assessed rapidly and acted decisively. The lion wasn't going anywhere, winter wasn't pausing for his comfort.
The Pattern-Breaking Truth
Analysis becomes a substitute for action, masking fear of the unknown.
The breakthrough comes when you stop trying to eliminate uncertainty through endless preparation. Instead, you work with it systematically.
That's where the F.O.C.U.S. framework becomes your solution.
The F.O.C.U.S. Framework Application: Taking Action Despite Fear
When you're facing a decision that requires courage over comfort, here's how to work through it like Benaiah:
F - Document Facts: What's Really Happening Here?
Separate objective reality from fear-based interpretations.
Facts look like: "This opportunity has a deadline. I have 70% of the skills needed. The cost of not acting is greater than the risk of acting imperfectly."
Not facts: "I'll definitely fail. Everyone will judge me."
Benaiah's facts: Dangerous lion, pit, winter conditions, immediate action needed. He didn't dramatize the difficulty.
Try this: Write 5 factual statements using only observable details.
O - Define Objective: What Are You Really After?
Your objective isn't perfect execution—it's faithful courage serving something larger than comfort.
Benaiah wasn't becoming a lion-fighting expert. He was clearing a needed path, protecting others, fulfilling his role as one of David's mighty men.
Try this: "What I really want from taking action is..."
C - Discern Considerations: What Are Your Real Options?
You have more options than "wait forever" or "act recklessly."
Consider these approaches:
One small step while planning the next
Advice from someone who's faced similar challenges
Starting with what you control
Try this: List 5 ways you could move forward.
U - Deepen Understanding: What's Actually Driving Your Hesitation?
Examine what's beneath your delay. Often it's not the situation but what you fear taking action might reveal about you.
Try this: "I'm really hesitating because I'm afraid that..."
S - Determine Strategy: Your Action Plan
Choose your approach and commit to specific action within 72 hours.
Benaiah's strategy: Assess quickly, use available weapons and skills, trust training.
Try this: Write your specific first action and schedule it.
Making This Decision Align With Who You Are
Every courage decision is ultimately a character decision.
When you avoid or delay action that aligns with your calling, you're not just affecting the immediate situation. You're teaching yourself and others what you truly prioritize.
The Values Question
If you value faithfulness and stewardship, then acting courageously becomes more than strategy. It becomes an expression of who you are.
If you value growth and service, then avoiding necessary action conflicts with your stated priorities.
The real question isn't whether you're capable of taking action. It's whether this action aligns with the person God called you to be and the life He designed you to live.
Your Values Check
Before making your decision, ask: "Which choice honors my values of courage, faithfulness, and stewardship most completely?"
This is exactly why Benaiah faced that lion. There's profound wisdom in how he approached impossible odds.
We'll explore that this Wednesday in "Working The Word."
This Week's Action Step
Identify one area where courage is calling and take one specific step this week.
Your Next Step
The truth is simple: Courage isn't the absence of fear—it's faithful action in the presence of fear.
This Week's Challenge
Choose one situation where you've been waiting for "perfect timing" and take the first concrete step, even if conditions aren't ideal.
Let's Connect
I'd love to hear how this lands with you. Reply and tell me: What's one area where you sense God calling you to act with the courage you have rather than waiting for the courage you wish you had?
Your stories help me understand how these biblical principles work in real life.
Coming Up
Wednesday: How Benaiah's bold action reflects God's design for faithful courage and what Scripture teaches about taking action despite fear
Friday Podcast: I'll walk through this entire framework using a case study from my coaching practice
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Grace and courage for the journey,
HB