Frozen by fear, or freed by Faith?

Fear and faith are opposites.  Maybe not in the dictionary, but when it comes to ministry, and I think in our daily walk with Christ, they truly are.  It seems to me that far too many of us are captivated by fear instead of being encouraged by faith.  

Fear is always looking over its shoulder.  Fear remembers.

Fear and faith are opposites.  Maybe not in the dictionary, but when it comes to ministry, and I think in our daily walk with Christ, they truly are.  It seems to me that far too many of us are captivated by fear instead of being encouraged by faith.  

Fear is always looking over its shoulder.  Fear remembers.

Fear never forgets the past with its struggles and failures, and whispers not-so-sweet nothings in your ear; “That is sure to fail” or “You remember what happened last time you tried something new.”  Fear sounds like Eeyore’s warnings, “It’ll never work” or “You can’t get there from here.”

Fear freezes God’s workers in their tracks.

Faith looks forward.  Faith reminds us that God is in control and that He has a plan for us in our ministry.  Faith points out that failure is not fatal, nor is it forever.  Faith basks in grace.  Faith shows us again and again God’s favor on our lives, even when we at first can’t see it.

Faith carries God’s workers forward.

The Bible has so many examples of fear and faith.  Moses, David, Daniel, Peter, Paul, Joshua, and Caleb, just to name a few.  Some were always men of faith, some were fearful, and faithful, not necessarily in that order.  This is good news to me.

Because of God’s faithfulness in their lives, I can rest in knowing that my God is capable of sustaining me through anything.  No matter what my past holds, I do not have to be captivated by fear.  So what if everything doesn’t always turn out just so?  So what if there are failures along the way?  

A bump in the road means that you are at least going down the road!  If I allow myself to be frozen by fear I will make fewer mistakes, but have even fewer victories.

I want to be part of a ministry that makes a difference, not one that just maintains itself.  I’m willing to risk a few failures to move forward and by faith, trust God to show Himself mighty in the midst of it all.

The next time you feel fear wrapping its tentacles around you, remember how much Jesus loves you, and that He cares for you deeply.  He loves you, not because you perform well, but because you are His child!  Rest in Faith.  Look forward to all God wants to do through you. 

Have a great day serving Him!