If you haven’t read the first four posts in this series, I really recommend you reading them before you read this post (because it will make more sense). You can find the first post by clicking HERE.
Today I want to talk about Fear. Fear is the enemy of so many things in our lives but it’s a huge enemy of obedience.
Fear is the thing that holds us back because it says,
What if you fail? What if people judge you?”
There are so many “what ifs” that it’s easy to get caught up with them and end up taking “the easy way”. But true obedience says “NO” to fear. True obedience says “I don’t care what people think, all that matters is what the Lord thinks”.
A heart of obedience, one that walks with the Lord and knows Truth, can counter Fear in every argument it might present.
What if I fail?”
Well, “what if I succeed?”
What if people judge me?”
I’m just going to tell you right now, there will always be someone who judges you, but you can tell Fear, “okay, they can judge me but I will hold my head high because when I stand before the true Judge, I want Him to see that my heart is pure and I am committed to doing what’s right.”
Fear will say,
What if it costs you everything?”
And you can respond with, “It probably will cost me everything, but I would pay double because I know it will be worth it.”
You will probably have to rebuke Fear a ridiculous amount of times, because he’s a HUGE pain, but the more you send him away the more he’ll get tired, and you won’t have to deal with him as often.
And at the end of the day,
God is bigger than fear!
I want to assure you, and bless you to be filled with Peace, knowing that if Fear is bugging you, it’s because God has empowered YOU, and Fear is actually afraid of YOU. I guarantee you, Fear wouldn’t linger and bug you as much, if you weren’t a threat.
As you say “no” to Fear over and over again, you’ll find that it gets easier, and then the things he tries to make you fear, begin to seem silly.
As your relationship with the Lord deepens you’ll have Peace about your dream and know that it’s in His hands and anything Fear tries to throw at you, you can rebuke.
For example, even though things with our daughter are still in the midst of turmoil, and it feels like the things God spoke about her will never come true, God continually fills me with Peace and Confidence. I know, beyond the shadow of a doubt that He has her in His hands. It might feel hopeless at times and Fear still tries to whisper lies to me, but I know that as long as I continue to be obedient and parent her exactly the way God has shown me, that in the end she will find Peace too.
As you continue to choose a life of obedience something crazy happens, God honors your faithfulness and then He asks you what your dreams are!
And this relationship I have with the Lord now, is exactly why I say “no” to Fear and “yes” to obedience every. single. time.
It’s why I will say “yes” to the next thing God asks me to do, even if I know it’s going to be hard.
Obedience will take you from thinking about God as a big untouchable Father in Heaven, to thinking of Him as someone you know will always be there for you. He will become a close friend, someone you trust, someone who will always be honest with you and someone who cares about your dreams more than you do.
Is Fear something you struggle with? Is Fear holding you back from pursing your dreams? Don’t allow Fear to rule any longer! Rebuke it and take back what is yours – Peace, the presence of the Lord and confidence. You’ve got this, and I’m right here with you on this journey. 😉
To read the next post in this series, click HERE.
Fear does not like to give up. It is quite creative. If it fails in one area, it seeps into another. It is an ever present danger which never sleeps. Watching for that hint to cross its path. Fear leaps on the hint and turns it into a huge mountain. I must be equally attentive to its efforts. Combatting it as it hits with God’s words and promise help me to rise above it.
My dear friend- great post, full of heart, full of truth and very empowering. Thank you!!
Fear does come in to play when God talks to me. I have been in church and the message has opened me up to hear God’s message to me. I am excited, pray about what I’ve heard, start a conversation with God of what he wants me to do and then I’m encouraged to start following the path he has set before me. When the commitment comes in I start to waver because fear has set in. I don’t trust myself, I have a hard time believing in myself & I feel I’ve failed before I get started. I do so much better when God places someone in front of me that he wants me to reach out to. Your blog has touch me. I want to reread it and say NO to fear. I know I can do anything God asks me to because I don’t do it in my own strength and power I do it through the Holy Spirit and God’s strength. Yet, the voice of fear starts to roar. Please pray for me, as I will pray for myself, Thank you again for your blog.
You are amazing Linda and you can conquer fear for sure!! I will pray for you. 🙂
“It probably will cost me everything, but I would pay double because I know it will be worth it.” I love this quote! So inspiring.