What do we have to be afraid of?
According to the world we live in, a lot. Whether it be heights, spiders, failure, or something else, we’re all afraid of something. No matter what it is our fear is placed in, our fears limit us, they prevent us from taking action. Our lack of action often comes as a product of some worry or anxiety generated by those fears.
Fear in the things of this world does not come from God. God is omniscient, omnipresent, and has everything under control. Chances are, the things we have fears in are the same areas that God wants to move the most in our lives.
For myself, I had a lot of fear I had to overcome in regards to pursuing the path of writing. I grew up my entire life being known as the girl who was the math genius. I was also known for my less than average reading abilities, which generated a fear of failing any time I opened a book. It took me almost all of elementary school to prove to my teachers I could read past a 3rd grade reading level. And then, 15 years later, God intervenes and says “I want you to write a book” my response? “You’ve got to be kidding me.” The enemy will do anything he can to prevent us from acting and moving in the direction God has called us to, and one of the ways he does this the best is through instilling fear. However, if God truly is in control, what is there to worry about?
“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?’” Luke 12:22-26 NIV
Nothing.
The truth is, we have nothing to worry about, and we have no reason to place fear in anything that causes worry in the things of this world. If this is true, that we have nothing to fear, how do we overcome those fears?
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3 NIV
“‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’” John 14:27 NIV
“…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
When fear comes our way, we must be persistent in placing our trust in God, asking Him to provide us with His peace, and remember that He has given us His Spirit which is not one of fear but of power, love, and self-control. Admittedly, this often sounds a lot easier said than done, but we must remember that God did not create us to live a small life, and He had His Son Jesus die on behalf of our sins so that we may have His Spirit to defeat all of the lies and fear the enemy places in our path. What is fear holding you back from?