Fear

Generally, I don’t see myself as a person who fears or is fearful. I don’t seem to worry about much and I do have a general optimism and a trust in God that He will see me through. But I do fear. Maybe I don’t give it a lot of space in my day or thought but it’s still there. Thoughts like, “I’m not good enough.” “I don’t deserve that good thing.” “I don’t know enough.” “I’m not smart enough.” “I don’t have enough experience.” “I’ll look, sound, or be thought of as stupid.” “No one has taught me how to do that and therefore I can’t, shouldn’t, or don’t know how.”, “I don’t look good.”, “I’m getting too old.”, “Am I ever going to get a chance and if I do, I’m likely going to fail and I’ll look so stupid and foolish.”, “What if I get sick, cancer, COVID, or anything else?”, “What if I died today?” And on and on about so many parts of my life.

We all have fear. But that fear does not come from God. That fear is from ourselves and from the lies of Satan. God says things like:

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭

“For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭

“When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” ‭Psalms‬ ‭56:3‬

God tells us so much that we should not fear but that we should trust in Him. I’ve heard often that you can’t be courageous unless there is some fear. I enjoy Zach Williams’ song, “Fear Is a Liar”. There is a lyric in the song “Enough” by Social Club Misfits that says, “When you’re afraid is the only time that a man can be brave.”

It’s true when you experience fear, it is an opportunity to be brave. It’s an opportunity to reach out to your Maker and pray and trust in Him. It’s an opportunity to invite Him into your life and be involved in your life! It is so powerful!

I am reminded of several stories from God’s word about fear but two of them really stand out.

Moses didn’t think he was good enough to be used by God. In Exodus 4 verse 3, Moses, speaking with God said, “Please, Lord, send someone else.” Before that Moses was saying stuff like…”God, I’m not good enough…I can’t speak well enough…I am now quick enough with my words and I am hesitant in how I speak…” In other words, he was fearful that he couldn’t accomplish what God had called him to accomplish. He had plenty of reasons why he could not be the leader, why he couldn’t talk the talk, and to be afraid.

Soon after that, the Israelites, who Moses lead out of Egypt and was used by God to rescue His people, faced the promised land. This was land that God had prepared for them and had gone ahead of them and made it ready for them. God had proven Himself faithful, powerful, resourceful, and present to them. Yet, these men of Israel still gave into fear…

“But the men who had gone up with him responded, “We can’t go up against the people because they are stronger than we are! ” Numbers‬ ‭13:31‬

They believed in their fear more than the believed in God.

I need to trust God more. I need to lean into Him more. We need to trust Him, follow Him and the only fear we need to have is the fear of what happens if we don’t trust Him. We need to enter into what He has for us. We need to look, listen, and wait on Him.

God says…

“Be strong and courageous, for you will distribute the land I swore to their fathers to give them as an inheritance. Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua‬ ‭1:6-9‬ ‭

He said, “Be Strong and VERY courageous!..” Go to the line of being courageous, step over it, and be VERY courageous!

I hope you’ll step forward in faith, pray and invite God and his power and resources into your life, and get after it for God.

Be Emboldened,

Intend to Live