Facing Fears
For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
~ Isaiah 41:13
Fear immobilizes people.
We fear failure and success. We fear what others think and that they might not care at all. We fear being seen and being invisible, loving and being unable to love. We fear people will find out who we really are or that they will never really know us. We fear germs, going out, loneliness, illness, and death. The list of our fears is endless.
Twice, recently, I have had to question why I am not moving forward with a plan. Both times I have had to ask what it is that I am afraid of. Why do I not just do the next thing to accomplish the goal?I usually come up with one of two answers. Either I am afraid of what other people will think, or I do not believe I can succeed, so why bother? Both lack faith regarding things I think God is calling me to do.
The Bible tells us many times to “fear not.” God said it to Abram, Moses, all of Israel, and then the tribe of Judah. Isaiah spoke God’s words, “Fear not,” to the people of Israel assuring them that God would take vengeance on their enemies (Isaiah 35:4), that He would strengthen them and help them (41:10), and that He would be the One to redeem them (43:1).
Daniel, with faith enough to face the lion’s den rather than betray God, was told not to fear (Daniel 10:12) because he had humbled himself before God and his prayers had been heard. Jesus told the disciples not to fear as He was sending them out to preach the good news. He assured them of God’s love for them and the value of their lives (Matthew 10:31).
Lots of people that we would consider strong and courageous had to be reminded to be that way! Many of God’s greatest warriors faced fear and overcame it through the power of the Holy Spirit, to do what God had called them to do. Christian, shouldn’t it send a tingle down your spine knowing we have the same Holy Spirit who strengthened Daniel?
Many times earthly circumstances increase our fear. It is common to all men. God knows all about it. He repeatedly tells us that He is trustworthy.
Why then, do we get stuck and fail to take the next simple step?
Knowing and believing God are the only things that overcome fear. Getting to that truth happens when we are abiding in Christ, in His Word, and trusting His faithfulness in enabling us to do what He calls us to do.
In John 17 Jesus prayed, “I have glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work you gave me to do.” Oh, to be able to pray that prayer would be such a joy! I guess that means I need to take that next step!
How about you? How are you allowing fear to affect the work God has called us to do?
I love serving Jesus Christ as one who “feeds His sheep”. It is my desire to teach God’s Word diligently, with reverence and awe for the Source of the truths I teach, and with an engaging, and sometimes witty, delivery so that the hearers will not just listen but do what it says.
- For Our Good - February 12, 2020
- Future Benefits - January 8, 2020
- Attention Getting Behavior - October 16, 2019
“Christian, shouldn’t it send a tingle down your spine knowing we have the same Holy Spirit who strengthened Daniel?” I’ll just sit with this awhile, tingling and all..thanks, Beth!
I think perhaps we are reminded repeatedly in God’s Word (throughout His Word) to fear not because fear is so insidious. Somehow or another we’re not enough. It’s most definitely a tool of the enemy, because as many things which we can delight in, so also can we fear/worry over.
Thank your for this beautiful post which reminds me to embrace what I’ve been called to do, and to focus on the Holy Spirit both indwelling and empowering me to move on to the next right step.