You know what great potential lies ahead of you, but you are too afraid to move forward. You know that there is a bright future ahead of you, but you are concerned with what people think. Spiritually, you know that you’ve been called to something great, but since you can’t determine the full outcome, you don’t go after your destiny. Do any of these scenarios sound familiar to you? Author, speaker, and entrepreneur Ranelli Williams can relate. That’s why now she’s s passionate about helping women overcome their fears and activate their faith so they can strut into their purpose. A true believer in women supporting women, she released a book full of inspirational stories from everyday women who shared personal accounts of facing their fears and anxieties. Ranelli shared with us some tips on how to believe in yourself and step out on faith.
Madame Noire (MN): What personal experiences inspired you to write Releasing the Fear & Walking in Faith?
Ranelli Williams (RW): The book was prompted by my own fears. I was afraid of speaking in public, what people would think, and not being good enough. I really don’t know why I thought these things… and that is why fear is false evidence appearing real. It holds you hostage without any true facts or justification. As I look back over my life, I was very successful in school and got along with my peers so there was no reason to think I’d fail, but I did. After being challenged by my mentor to teach on fear (actually she didn’t give me a choice), I quickly learned that faith was the antidote for fear. Then once I did teach on the subject, the response was overwhelming and the testimonies came rolling in. After that, I was awakened one night with the topic, Releasing the Fear & Walking in Faith. I got out of bed that night, started a Facebook page with that title and began sharing scripture and encouragement regarding faith over fear. Soon after, I felt the urge to write a book with the same topic.
MN: How did you select which women’s stories would make it into the book?
RW: I 
originally released my book in October of 2014. In 2016, my business coach and I decided to re-release the book with a new cover. In addition, she suggested that I expand the book by including testimonies. I agreed to do so and I was only looking for about 6 testimonies. Overwhelmingly, we received 23 responses and after reading their compelling testimonies, I decided to include all of them.
MN: How important is it for women to share their stories of overcoming obstacles?
RW: It is so important that we allow our voices to be heard by sharing our testimonies! Not only does it free us but it blesses others and gives them hope. This is why I am doing it all over again and partnering with 21 co-authors in my next book, Belief, Boldness, BIG Blessings, which will be released in June.
MN: How can women recognize that they are letting fear consume their thoughts about the future?
RW: I think a clear indication is when they find themselves procrastinating over tasks and goals that are important. I have found myself in that situation many times in the past and when I have truly searched for the reason behind it, I realize that it’s because I am doubting my abilities but more importantly neglecting to put my trust in God. It’s important to remind ourselves that if God has called us to it, He will see us through it.
MN: What advice do you have for those who don’t know how to pray, but want to connect with God?
RW: I always love the passage of scripture found in Romans 8:26 (NIV) that says “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” This tells me that even when we can’t find the words, we still can go to God because the Spirit is ready and more than able to intercede for us. So my advice is to go to Him anyway. He understands.
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