Men usually thrive on success, on forward motion, on big decisions. But nothing cripples that forward motion like the fear of failure.
After a series of blockbuster films portraying Captain America, actor Chris Evans revealed he almost declined the star-spangled cowl for a reason no one would associate with the First Avenger—fear.
In a May 25 interview with the “Awards Chatter” podcast, Evans reminisced about his early days as an actor, his first successes, and why at first he declined the role of Steve Rogers that ultimately changed his life.
A Boston native, Evans moved to California in 2000 to launch his acting career. It didn’t take long to get noticed, and in 2001 he appeared in his first film, Not Another Teen Movie. That was followed by more parts in a variety of small films. But none of the parts really resonated with audiences. And that, as he recalls, is when the anxiety started, “There was a period of time where you start thinking, ‘Man, I can’t make a good movie. I don’t know what it is. … I wonder how many chances I’m gonna get at this.'”
Then, Evans landed the role as Johnny Storm, aka Human Torch, in Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007). But at the time of the release of the sequel, Evans began struggling with “severe anxiety,” exacerbated by missing out on parts in several notable films.
He remembers that by 2010, when he was in Houston filming Puncture, it was getting bad. “It was the first time I started having mini panic attacks on set,” Evans recalls. “I really started to think, ‘I’m not sure if this [acting] is the right thing for me, I’m not sure if I’m feeling as healthy as I should be feeling.'”
And then the chance of a lifetime came knocking. Marvel execs called Evans to invite him to test for the part of Steve Rogers, aka Captain America. It could mean a nine-film deal, huge money, and lasting fame. But Evans saw it another way. His anxiety, he believed, would get the best of him.
So, to the dismay of his agents, he turned down the opportunity to even test for the part. Marvel was not deterred. They came back, several times, and even reduced the proposed number of films to six and increased the salary. Again and again, crippled by his anxiety, Evans declined.
Then suddenly, Marvel offered Evans the part outright. That made him reconsider. He consulted with Robert Downey, Jr., talked with his therapist, and then asked for counsel from friends and family. Their advice? Don’t make a major decision based on fear.
Finally, Evans accepted the role. And a decade later, he said, “It was the best decision I’ve ever made.” And, “To be honest, all the things that I was fearing never really came to fruition.”
Fear and anxiety are no respecter of persons, especially when it comes to the unknown, to the future, and to our fear of failure. The famous, the wealthy, the attractive, the popular, and, yes, even the Avengers sometimes feel anxious when faced with decisions that shape the future. But what scares us the most is the prospect of failure.
Anxiety is fear on caffeine. That anxiety can be overwhelming. It might be irrational. But it is no less real. And it can cripple forward progress and stifle good decisions that provide us chances to grow and mature and thrive.
Such fear is ingrained in the human race. For men, it started with Adam. When he and Eve sinned, they were afraid, so they hid from God (Gen. 3:10). Their forward progress was hobbled, ideals dissolved, fear installed in the place of faith, and shame inflicted from their bad decision. And now the whole human race has inherited their tendency to be anxious in the face of the unknown, and every man is, at some time, reluctant to act for fear of failure.
So what should you do if you are anxious about the future and afraid of making the wrong decision?
First, when needed, seek wise counsel. Evans sought advice from three groups of people. He talked to friends and family who knew him well, a professional therapist, and someone with experience in the arena of his decision, who had already been there, Robert Downey, Jr. (Prov. 15:22).
Even so, though wise counsel is needed, for Christians godly counsel is essential. Be sure the advice you accept lines up with God’s Word (Prov. 19:20-21).
And then, in keeping with their wise advice, Evans didn’t let fear dictate his decision. This is critical. In our fallen human condition, we tend to let emotions drive our decisions. Nothing could be worse. And the Bible routinely warns against it (Prov. 29:11).
In addition, acknowledge that you cannot control what happens tomorrow. So make your decisions based on prayer and biblical wisdom, without worrying about what you cannot control (Matt. 6:25-34, James 1:5-7, 4:13-17).
Then, rest in Christ, trust Him, and remember that your Creator knows and guides the future. He has a plan for you, and it is always good for you (Jer. 29:11). You don’t know what the future holds, but He does.
So when you are afraid, and your fear of failure threatens to hold you captive, unable to make a decision, God comes and calls you out of hiding. “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil. 4:6). And, “casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7).
God reminds you that He is still there and still able to handle what worries you the most. The unknown, the uncertain, the uncontrollable, and the possibility of failure. Besides, the only man whose decisions were always flawless was Jesus. You can’t be Him. But you can trust Him (Prov. 3:5-6).
So, when you come to that moment that a decision looms before you, but the fear of failure threatens to cripple your decision, cast your fears and anxiety on Him. And He will cover you with inexplicable peace, and you’ll find that the future is not so frightening after all (Phil. 4:7).
And you’ll wake up one day and say, “To be honest, all the things that I was fearing never really came to fruition” after all.