Fear – has it ever caused you to question God’s prompting to do something for Him? I’ll be the first to raise my hand and say, “YES.”
One of the many experiences that comes to mind is when I stepped in obedience to His calling to share the Gospel. I had a great peace that this was what God wanted me to do until I realized where He was asking me to do it. I have traveled through New York many times, and each time, the tall, bleak-looking apartment buildings intimidate me! In my mind, those buildings are filled with stale air, graffiti on the walls, and chaos in the hallways. I hope you get the picture.
I hate to admit it, but this small town girl was tripped up by fear!
Has fear ever tripped you up? Stumbling into questioning what God was doing, what you were doing, and why?
Did you back down from obeying what God told you to do because fear, in turn, caused you to doubt what you heard from God?
I believe it’s our human nature to experience a little fear and doubt when we step out of our comfort zone, and things look a bit different than we expected.
I was at a critical moment where I knew I needed to allow my faith to be bigger than my fears.
Fortunately, hours before my experience, God led me to read a word in Joshua 3:11.
“Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over ahead of you into the Jordan.”
The Israelites were led by God to do something very intimidating. He comforted them and gave them courage by showing them that He would cross over the Jordan ahead of them.
God goes ahead of us, and when He is there, He calls us to join Him!
Will you trust Him to see you through what seems big and scary? Sometimes our flesh is terrified because what He is calling us to do does not make sense. It seems irrational and can seem impossible.
I’m sure that the Israelites were thinking how irrational it was when Joshua told them that the waters of the Jordan would be cut off when the priests carrying the ark of the covenant stepped foot into the Jordan. Not only that, but the ground was dry, too! (Joshua 3:13-17)
God knows the terrain you will travel. He has prepared the way so you can join Him where He is already working.
Maybe you need to be reminded right now that He will never abandon you on the path He is calling you to take. He will see you through. He will provide. He will protect. He will make a way where there seems to be no way.
You will discover that He knows what He is doing, and you can trust Him with all of your heart (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Consider the prayers you have prayed through the years. Is there a chance you prayed for freedom, security, or to see God at work in your life? Have you begged Him to set you free from a stronghold, bondage, anxiety, or your thoughts?
Perhaps the very thing He is calling you to do will be the means by which He will answer many of those prayers. Only be sure it is His voice you are hearing.
As I stood at the entryway of the tall, scary- looking building I rehearsed God’s promise and believed Him for it. He had already gone before me. He was already there, and I just needed to join Him.
Everything I had created within my mind, stirring up fear, was immediately dismantled as I entered the building. I found that fear was a liar! The air was not stale. The walls had been freshly painted. The hallways were calm and nearly empty. As I knocked on the first door and every door thereafter, I was greeted with kindness.
God grew my faith and trust in Him. He did a work in me!
Will you let Him do a work in you?
I love you and pray that my experience will keep you from being tripped up by fear.
Listen to these lyrics as you Praise, Pray, and Proclaim your trust in God!
Jodi,
Very encouraging words that spoke to my heart. I am struggling with some strongholds and fear in my life that have paralyzed my walk with the Lord. I am slowly working through the fears and finding my way back into my father’s arms. Thank you Jodi for your beautiful words.
Thank you for sharing Karen. The wonderful thing is God never abandons us in our struggle and is always faithful to welcome us back with arms wide open. He is a loving God. Blessings on your journey!