Fear Not

There are many fears that people experience. A few common social fears are the fear of failure, fear of success, fear of rejection, and fear of criticism.

We live in such a life that full of failures, so many hurts. When teachers ignore your work, their neglect hurts. When your girlfriend/ boyfriend drop you, when your best friend abandons you, when the company fires you, it hurts. Rejection always does. People bring pain and it causes us to fear.

We have all messed up. Said the wrong words, loved the wrong person, reacted the wrong way…walked when we should have waited, indulged when we should have resisted. And those kind of past memories sometimes make us fear to take the next step, worried to make decision, anxious about what the future might bring.

Fear is a feeling, a feeling of agitation and anxiety caused by the presence or imminence of danger. And if we entertain that feeling it’s so dangerous. Satan’s condemnation brings no repentance or resolve, just regret! Satan has one aim: steal your peace, kill your dreams, and destroy your future. He’s deputized people to peddle his poison. Friends dredge up your past. Preachers proclaim all guilt and no grace. And parents, oh, your parents. They own a travel agency that specializes in guilt trips. “Why can’t you grow up?” “When are you going to make me proud?” But one thing to remember, he will not have the last word. God has the final says and He has acted on your behalf, He rises to your defense.

Is your problem too large? Ephesians 3:20 says, “God is able to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

Is your need too great? 2 Corinthians 9:8 reminds us, “God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance.”

Is your temptation too severe? Hebrews 2:18 says, “God is able to help us when we are being tested.”

Is your future too frightening? Jude 1:24 tells us, “God is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.”

My friend, Jessica Tandayu ever mentioned that fighting fear doesn’t mean we never feel fear, but it means that we will not let fear rule our life. Fear may present itself as a feeling, but if we refuse to bow down to it, that is all it is… only a feeling! 

It’s human nature to be guided by our fears. Without fear, we may not have survived to be who we are today. Overcoming fear in not easy, fear is a powerful and not a very pleasant emotion, but in our lives, too much fear will prevent us from not only trying new things, but may prevent us from trying again if things do not work out the way we would have liked the first time.

For me, in life there is no failure or rejection, there is just feedback. If we try something new, and things do not work out the way we had hoped, that doesn't mean we have failed, we have just received some feedback on how to do it better next time. Live life fully while you're here. Experience everything. Take care of yourself and your loved ones. Have fun, go out, make new friends, enjoy the process and live your life to the fullest! Take the opportunity to learn from your mistake: find the cause of your problem and eliminate it. No one perfect in this world, but be that kind of person who is willing to learn to be perfect.

Do not let fear and doubts take over your life, for it is written on Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

You have a God who hears you, the power of love behind you, the Holy Spirit within you, and all of heaven ahead of you. If you have the Shepherd, you have grace for every sin, direction for every turn, a candle for every corner, and an anchor for every storm. You have everything you need when you lay down your fear in the hands of God, knowing He is the God that will never leave you, never forsake you. He is always in perfect control. Let God be God in your life :)

Inspired by Max Lucado weekly devotional and Ultimate Potential.