Today in church, the sermon really resonated with me and I wanted to share it with everyone. It talked about fear and it’s grip on our lives. It’s perfectly normal to be afraid of things; I believe it’s completely rational to be afraid of a bear chasing you or a clown (I hate clowns). But when fear keeps you from doing something or it consumes you, it becomes a strain on your life. The bible tells us to focus on God and let things go. But that’s easier said than done.
Pastor Boyd told a story about monkeys and how not letting go eventually leads to their demise. In Asian villages, monkeys are pests. They steal things, destroy crops, and get in the way. To control the pest problem, the villagers will take a coconut and drill a hole big enough for the monkeys to put their hand through and later put things that monkeys may want (sugar, candy, etc.). They will tie a string onto the coconut. Eventually, a monkey will come along and try to steal the goodies. When they clench a fist full of candy, their hands will get stuck. Meanwhile, the villagers are pulling the coconut with the string tied to it and capture the monkey. The monkey could let go of the candy and run away, without capture, but they still want to hang on. Fortunately, for the villagers, the monkey problem is under control, but for the monkeys, well, it’s not so great.
When I first heard this story, I thought, “Hah, those monkeys are so dumb, why didn’t they just let go?” Then, I thought, “Well Bri, you’re so dumb, why can’t you let go?” I need to let go of my pride in asking for money and my fear of the unknown (something I think I may encounter a time or two next year lol). I know it’s normal to be scared of something so new, but I’m letting that get in the way of growing in my faith and makes me second guess my decision to go next year.
I feel guilty when I second guess myself, because I know God has called me to go and serve. When I remember that I am supposed to do this, I think of all the scriptures out there essentially telling me to take a chill pill. There’s Psalm 118:6: “The lord is with me, I will not be afraid” Isaiah 12:2, “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” and Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God”.
Right now, I’m working on listening to God instead of the enemy telling me these negative thoughts. He’s furious that I am doing what God has asked and will do anything to get me to stop. I feel weird asking people to pray for me (another obnoxious fear) but if any of you think of me, please pray that I can focus on God instead of the enemy and find peace about all the unknown that will inevitably happen.
