Life Beyond Training Wheels

When I was a child, I loved to ride my bicycle. My bike had a big basket on the front and training wheels on the back. Initially, those training wheels gave me confidence to ride, knowing my bike would stay upright and I wouldn’t topple over. But as I got older, those training wheels were pointless because they no longer touched the ground.

One day, I went outside to ride and found my daddy removing the training wheels from my bike. Fear gripped me. Removing those training wheels deprived me of my safety net. I begged Daddy not to take them off, but he saw what I didn’t, the training wheels ceased to serve a purpose.

After the wheels were off, my daddy took me to a long stretch of driveway and said, “Ride!”

I hesitated.

“Come on, ride. I’ll be right beside you.”

I pedaled a tentative few revolutions and then Daddy gave me a big push. I was terrified, until I saw him running beside me, coaching me to pedal. I made it to the end of the driveway, but I was upset.

I rushed in the house and told Mama Daddy forced me to ride without training wheels. She smiled, and said, “You haven’t needed them for a long time. He was just helping you see you could do what you’ve been doing all along, riding on your own.”

What crutch are you depending on that you no longer need? What is impeding your forward motion?

Perfectionism

Have you ever known someone who couldn’t finish a project because they repeatedly second-guessed themselves and started over multiple times? Perfectionism is a hindrance that effects all areas of your life, if you allow it. No one is without flaws. Expecting perfection of yourself and others inhibits forward motion and damages relationships.

Possibilities

The Internet provides access to unlimited information. However, sometimes we get caught up checking all the possibilities and never take next steps. Avoiding decisions because you feel you haven’t examined all the options is like riding with non-functioning training wheels. Narrow the possibilities and decide.

Fear

Like my first bike ride without training wheels, fear is what causes most of us to hesitate. Perhaps you struggle with fear of an outcome other than what you hope for, fear of failure, or insecurity about your own abilities. Fear is a deterrent that hobbles and prevents risking something new or different. Allow courage to lead and banish fears.

Comparisons

Comparison is a crutch many of us lean on to avoid attempting that which challenges us. Watching the accomplishments of others and comparing yourself to them is a sure way to hamper forward motion and thwart the path God mapped out for you. Each of us are created with unique talents, gifts designed to fit our personalities and strengths. Accept your uniqueness and avoid measuring yourself against others.

Like my experience of riding without training wheels for the first time, perhaps you need a big push to get out of your comfort zone and stop leaning on what feels safe. We have a Father who runs beside us, spotting us in case we start to fall. Rest in that knowledge and move beyond training wheels.

“I will teach you and tell you the way to go and how to get there; I will give you good counsel and I will watch over you” (Psalm 32:8 VOICE).

©CandyArrington

Candy Arrington is a writer, blogger, speaker, and freelance editor. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotionals published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).

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