PUSH THROUGH YOUR FEARS - By Jeremy Menefee « Inward Core

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Jeremy Menefee

The acronym “PUSH” is applicable for my journey. Pray Until Something Happens is what I experienced as a child at the age of ten. The journey began at the age of ten. My mother was a first grade teacher for the Del Paso Heights Elementary School which is located in a rough area of Sacramento, CA in 1993. I grew up in church and Sunday was a known as a day that was meant for the Lord in my house. As a child, I was always passionate about something whether it was G.I. Joe action figure and Transformers. I had the privilege and opportunity to enter into my schools science fair which unknowingly ignited a passion that I’m currently involved in today. Furthermore; the science fair project that Christ allowed me to create and develop won first prize in my school’s science fair and then it went onto the Robla School District Science Fair. My science fair project started with a simple question: “How does a fountain spot?” Subsequently; I was fearful as to the out of my chances of winning first place in the district science fair because I knew that meant more competition and other kids who were as intelligent or smart than I. On the day of judging our science projects I was asked by a group of judges to present my project to them along with my results. At the age of ten years old I was so nervous standing in front of the adults all I could think is do your best and know that mother is proud of me. I was fearful of the outcome of my presentation to the judges and worried about my mother who was recently admitted to the hospital with cancer two days before the science fair. I had no I idea how Psalm 56:3-4 became applicable in my life at that time. Psalm 56:3-4: When I am afraid, I put my trust in thee. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust without a fear. What can flesh do to me?

As a result of me overcoming fear of presenting my science fair project to the judges that day I was requested to come back to the district science fair to see the results of my hard work. Rather, than getting out of my father’s truck excited I was struck with fear as a ten year old. I entered the doors of the science fair and my father directed me to the table in which my project was located and I was astonished along with being shocked because I was awarded first place in my school districts science fair project. Now, winning first place in the district’s science fair project was a set up by Jesus Christ to show me that I can “Push Through My Fears.”

Moving forward to June of 2004 I relocated to Alabama and was privileged to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. I worked at several major retail stores such as Kmart and Wal-Mart for several years until Christmas of 2006 when I had a meeting with a Dr. who taught at Tuskegee University introduced me to an online university named “Capella University.” The Dr. asked me a simple question which I made very difficult to answer. “Do you want to obtain your master’s degree?” I said yes and there I met my next challenge as to the direction in which Jesus Christ wanted me to proceed next. Isaiah 41:10 sums up my mindset very well at this point in my life. Isaiah 41:10: fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. I started my master’s degree in the summer of 2007, but I didn’t know what I wanted to concentrate in and as I sat in a empty apartment by myself the Holy Spirit spoke to me. Jeremy, what is it that you’re most passionate about? What was it that you were excited about as a child? I said, well obtaining first place in my school district’s science fair project. My answer sparked my concentration to obtain a master’s degree in Project Management and Leadership. I was working two jobs during my first quarter of my master’s program along with taking classes at night. I kept telling myself that I’m not sure if I’ll be able to continue school with me working two jobs. Well, I’ll tell you that all I could do is lean on my faith in Jesus Christ because I really didn’t know how I was going to keep working two jobs and continue my master’s program. 1 Corinthians 16:13; is confirmation as to how I was feeling at this time in my life. Here’s what the scripture states 1 Corinthians 16:13; “Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.” I continued to move forward and I was able to obtain my master’s degree in Project Management and Leadership in the summer of 2009. I was so ecstatic because I completed the degree that my mother was working when she died in 1993. Obtaining my master’s degree was a great accomplishment, but I had another obstacle now as to enter into the field of project management. My first step I took was going onto PMI.org’s website to look for a local PMI chapter in Montgomery, Al. Now, that I found the date and time of a PMI meeting I was fearful of how to interact with executives in major banks within the Montgomery region. I prayed about attending meeting and the fear of meeting executives. As I walked into the meeting I saw that I was the only young African-American male in the room. I sat down at the table and had a three course elegant dinner with project managers, COOs and CIOs and CEOs of major banks within the river region of Montgomery, Al. As a 27 year old black male I held my own conversing with the project managers at my table. While, I did not have any hands on experience as a project manager all I could do is draw on my educational experience in Project Manager during the table discussion.

Thereafter, my first PMI meeting I overcame the fear of speaking in front of high level executives within a major company. By the next year an opportunity presented itself to me to relocate to Atlanta, GA to work as a developer/project coordinator where I was able to work with projects and obtain a skill that I did not go to school which is programming. Even though, I was grateful for the new career opportunity I was fearful of moving out of my comfort zone. I prayed about it and examined the opportunities which lied ahead of me. I pressed forward and relocated to Atlanta, GA in the month of January in 2010. Overcoming my fear of the unknown by praying and relying on Jesus Christ has allowed me to “Push Through My Fears”.

Currently, I work as a project coordinator with Sprint, Inc. and I have a mentor who’s assisting me to prepare for the PMP certification. I’ve come along way only because of Jesus Christ I could over never overcome my fear by myself without relying on my faith in Him. Another, fear that I’ve overcome is speaking my mind and being straightforward with people. I use to be timid and now I know what I desire and I’ve allowed my dream to become a reality because I say where I wanted to be back in 2009 in the spiritual realm which has now become a reality in the natural realm.

Please send Inward Core an email of any fears you decided to Push Through or email us if you need more suggestions to help you push through your fears.

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