053 Fear Not: Moving Beyond Fear
Fear and worry are endemic in our culture. Whether it’s TV news, social media, our upbringing, or our genetics, it seems we are being conditioned to fear.
God knows what fear can cost a person and He wants us to live beyond it. That’s why, more than any other single command in the Bible, God tells us to “Fear not.”
But for most people simply being told to not be afraid is not enough. Information alone is not sufficient to enable most of us to overcome patterns of fear that are real deeply ingrained in us.
Moving beyond fear requires more than receiving information – it requires taking action.
There's a beautiful picture of this in Deuteronomy 32. It’s taken from nature and mother eagle’s efforts to get her young to fly.
When the time comes for the eaglets to leave the nest, the mother stirs up their once soft and comfortable surroundings causing the once hidden thorns and pebbles to come to the surface.
She intentionally creates discomfort for her young – not because she wants to harm them, but because she wants them to learn that there’s more to life than sitting in the nest.
God uses the same strategy with His people.
1. God challenges those He loves. And when He does…
2. You will experience fear. It’s just natural.
But here’s what you need to know: People who soar are not people who never experience fear. People who soar are those who do experience fear, and yet refuse to be turned back by it.
Fear is not the issue. What you do in the midst of the fear is.
This is the pattern: 1. God challenges. 2. People fear. And…
3. God reassures us of His presence and power.
I love the words He spoke through Isaiah: “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)
But all of that implies a fourth step:
4. You must step out.
This is where faith comes into play. You see, some people play the “when-then” game.
“When I don't feel afraid...then I'll take action.”
“When I don’t feel afraid, then I’ll call the person and seek to restore our relationship.”
“When I don't feel afraid, then I'll apply for the job.”
“When I don’t feel afraid, then I’ll start tithing.”
“When I don't feel afraid, then I'll join a small group.”
“When I don't feel afraid, then I'll get involved in this ministry.”
And you know what? Those people wait their whole lives.
But it’s only when you leave the safety of the nest, as fearful as that may be, do you find that God is ready, willing, and able to carry you on His wings.
5. As you take a first step of obedience, God will supply the power for you to take other ones.
God challenges. I fear. He reassures. Then I take a step. As I do, He supplies power. And I learn that God can be trusted. And the wonderful reward of the whole thing is that what used to frighten you doesn’t frighten you as much anymore.
Who knows? Before you know it, you might begin to start soaring.
Text: Deuteronomy 32:9-11; Isaiah 41:10
Originally recorded December 8, 2013, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN.