Fear.
It holds us captive like chains around our feet, rooting us to the ground.
Mind racing, breath stealing, gut twisting. Panic inducing.
To be honest, fear is something I’ve really been struggling with for the last while.
It’s as though the beginning of 2017 burned a new realization into my mind.
First – Joy and Excitement! ‘Only 6 more months til Training Camp, 7 until I’m done work and 8 more until Launch!!’
Then – Fear. ‘Only 7 more months of income! Only 7 months left to fundraise! I still have to get the rest of my gear, my vaccinations!
That sense of facing a huge mountain to climb and wondering, ‘How on earth am I ever going to make it?!’
It is so easy to set up camp in this state of mind and just wallow in a pit of despair and self pity; running on that hamster wheel in our minds with the same depressing thoughts.
‘God are you there? Is everything really going to work out? Are you sure this is where you want me? Starting to panic a bit here…..’
Let me be honest with you – this is sin. Yes, you read that correctly.
Fear is sin, because you are not trusting that God is strong enough, wise enough or capable enough to see you through the circumstances you are currently in.
Read Psalm 43 with me:
As you can see, the Psalmist is a wee bit worried and worn out. He questions God. It’s human nature for us to ask ‘Why?, How?, When?’
BUT, note most importantly, the Psalmist also acknowledges God as his stronghold, giver of light and care, source of joy and delight, our hope.
Friends, the paths God takes us down often aren’t easy!
Don’t turn back! He has a plan and a purpose for you and me.
God wants us to give our fear to Him and say ‘I trust you, I’m laying this at your feet.’
