“Fear arises when we imagine that everything depends on us.”. Source
This single sentence captures the essence of Elisabeth Elliot’s profound wisdom. She was a woman defined not by the absence of fear, but by her courageous action in the face of it. For many, fear is a stop sign. It paralyzes and prevents progress. However, Elliot taught a different way. She championed the idea of moving forward, of obeying a higher call, even when your hands are trembling. Her life wasn’t a story of fearlessness; it was a testament to doing it afraid. Elisabeth Elliot Collection – Billy Graham Center Archives
Elisabeth Elliot’s story is one of radical faith and unthinkable loss. Born in Belgium to missionary parents, she dedicated her life to a similar path. She and her husband, Jim Elliot, traveled as missionaries to the jungles of Ecuador. Their goal was to reach the uncontacted Huaorani people. In 1956, their mission took a tragic turn. Huaorani warriors speared and killed Jim Elliot and his four companions. This event left Elisabeth a widow and a single mother to their young daughter, Valerie. Yet, what happened next would define her legacy.
The Ultimate Act of Forgiveness
Most people would have fled. They would have returned home, filled with anger and grief. Elisabeth Elliot – Wheaton College Archives & Special Collections did the opposite. Instead of running from the source of her pain, she chose to walk toward it. She believed her calling was not finished. Two years after her husband’s death, she and her daughter moved to live among the very tribe that had murdered him. This decision was not born from a lack of fear. It was a conscious choice to let faith be bigger than her terror. She learned their language and shared her life with them, demonstrating a powerful form of forgiveness.
This act exemplifies her core message. Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the judgment that something else is more important than fear. For Elliot, that something else was obedience to God’s will. She trusted in a plan far greater than her own understanding. Consequently, her obedience in the face of fear led to incredible reconciliation. Many of the Huaorani eventually embraced the faith she shared, a direct result of her astonishing choice.
What “Doing It Afraid” Really Means
Elliot’s philosophy challenges our modern obsession with comfort and control. We often wait until we feel confident or safe before taking a step. She argued that this is a flawed approach. True growth and purpose are found on the other side of our fears. Doing it afraid means accepting the presence of fear but refusing to give it the power to make your decisions. It is about taking the next small, obedient step, even if you cannot see the entire staircase. Collection 278: Elisabeth Elliot Papers – Billy Graham Center Archives
This principle is intensely practical. It applies to major life decisions and everyday anxieties. For example, it could mean applying for a job you feel unqualified for. It could also mean having a difficult conversation you have been avoiding. Furthermore, it could mean starting a new project that feels overwhelming. In each case, the fear is real and valid. The key, Elliot would say, is to acknowledge the fear and then do the right thing anyway. Her work as an author and speaker extended this message to millions. . Source
Applying Elliot’s Wisdom to Your Life
How can we cultivate this kind of courage? The process begins with shifting our focus. Instead of concentrating on the overwhelming fear, we can concentrate on the immediate task at hand. Elliot often spoke about simply