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What Are You Afraid Of?

How would you finish this sentence? My greatest fear in life is ____________________ .

Fear is a normal emotion. Some fear is good because it prevents us from making unwise choices, like jumping off of a seven-story building. Other fear is harmful because it paralyzes us and prevents us from living the life God desires for us to live. This type of fear is described in God’s Word as having a “spirit of fear.” When we are consumed with a spirit of fear, we live our lives bound to and limited by our fears. It can overtake us and prevent us from being an effective Christian. We can be so afraid of getting a certain disease that we worry over every ache or pain, which sends our thoughts into a panic. We can be so fearful of financial ruin that we hoard every penny we earn and we do not enjoy the life God gave us. We can be so fearful of getting hurt emotionally, that we do not allow ourselves to get close to anyone and experience intimate relationships.

What about you? Have you ever been overtaken by fear? When it creeps into your life, how do you fight it? Where do you go? I have experienced paralyzing fear in my life and I have learned there are only two places I can go to fight it—on my knees in prayer and into the Word of God.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (King James Bible)

When a spirit of fear comes over me, I know it is not from God. It is from the enemy. Realizing this truth is the first step to overcoming fear. The enemy comes like a thief and John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” Satan comes to steal the joy in my life and He comes to steal your joy too. I am sure I have missed some of God’s blessings because I was too fearful to step out in faith and listen to His call. Maybe you have too.

Throughout my life, I have learned it is hard to grow my faith inside my comfort zone. When we look into God’s Word, we see the lives of some faithful people and some not-so-faithful people. For those who had faith in Jesus, we see their courage. We see their obedience to God in doing the difficult things He asked them to do. As we read the stories of faithful people stepping out of their comfort zones, we see God moving and accomplishing His perfect will through them! I want to experience that in my life too, don’t you? Don’t you want to play your role in His kingdom and see Him move in mighty ways? Don’t you want to be a part of something bigger than yourself? Don’t you want to experience Him in a powerful way? In order for us to live inside of our God-given calling, we must surrender our own fleshly desires. We have to be fully obedient to Him in all things, not just in some things.

Scholars tell us that over 360 times in the Bible are the words, “Do not be afraid.” It is an important message for us to receive and to live out in our lives. There is a cost to being a disciple of Jesus Christ. It requires sacrifice. It requires doing the hard thing. Your decision to fully obey Jesus may not be popular among your friends or even your family, but when you step out in faith and have courage to follow Him fearlessly, your life will be fulfilled!

What is God asking you to do, my friend? What brave thing is He setting before you and urging you to accomplish? Are you willing to take that next step? Are you willing to hold nothing back and surrender it all to Him?

Jesus came so we could have life, and have it to the full. Be strong and courageous! You do not want to miss what God has for you!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV)

Gratefu for you!

~Joy

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