FEAR-LESS
October 17, 2018
Prayer: Dear Lord, You know the things I fear. When my heart grows faint within me, empower me with Your courage and boldness. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Scripture: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
During the month of October scary decorations show up on front porches and haunted houses pop up around town. In most cases it is just an expression of the upcoming night of Halloween, and although Christians can differ quite strongly on their opinions, from fun night of dressing up to trick-or-treat to promoting the worship of Satan, this is not the time or focus of this message so I beg you to stay on track with me. The point of this that stuck me is that there is nothing fun or funny about real fear.
If we would all be transparent here, we would admit that we all fear something. I will go first; fear is one of my biggest obstacles. Recently, one of my closest friends drew back in surprise when I confessed this to our small group Bible study. “You, fearful?” she gasped. “You do so many things!” “You travel and speak publicly; you write books and witness to strangers about the love of God.” “You have faced many trials and unknowns.” She continued, “What are you afraid of?” “All of those things” I answered.
I fear new things, the unknown, change, going new places, doing things I have never done before but there is an underlying fear for those fears. I fear letting God down; I fear failure. What have I learned that keeps me typing and boarding airplanes? I have learned that when fear gets a grip on me something wonderful is about to happen and Satan is not happy about it. I have learned that the only real failure is not trying at all. I have learned that God desires BIG princes and princesses to wear crowns in heaven not weak-willed wimps. I have learned that facing my fears is an act of faith – walking by faith and not sight, relying on God and not my own strength or understanding. I have learned that change only comes by changing. I have l learned that fear is a tool and my actions or lack of action determines whose hand I am placing it in. If I trust God and move forward it expands God’s kingdom. If I am frozen with fear and do not act on the opportunities or challenges presented to me, then Satan scores a point and I miss the blessing. Note that God never loses, but I do if I listen to the voice of fear instead of the voice of Truth.
Copyright Kathy Branzell. Email [email protected]
This past school year for me was one where fear gripped my entire life. Changes in my family, changes in my career, and even changes in my relationship with God, all contributed to a fearful state of mind that crippled my heart. Interestingly enough, God spoke to me through a song called “Fear” by the rock band Blue October. The bridge says, “Today / I don’t have to fall apart / I don’t have to be afraid / I don’t have to let the damage consume me / My shadow see through me” and then the chorus, “‘Cause fear in itself / will reel you in and spit you out / over and over again / believe in yourself / and you will walk / and now, fear in itself / will use you up and break you down / like you were never enough / I used to fall but now I get back up.” Today, I am a man in love for I have been seized, not by fear, but by the power of a great affection. “God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:16b-19, NRSV)
Thank you, for this encouraging word. I tend to forget this and let fear get the best of me. God is good!
Amen. Fear is a liar. Thank you for the prophetic reminder and encouragement. Perfect timing.