Stepping Up Despite Our Fears

Fear is our prison. We spend so much time doing things we don’t like to do with people we don’t care to know just as a way of surviving. Fear makes us feel satisfied with the present even when we know we could have so much more, stepping up towards what’s greater.

Many of us are living unaware of our very own personal promised land. We live wandering in the wilderness aimlessly until we have to go home.

Do you ever wonder if you are aimlessly wandering in the wilderness, missing living in your full potential and purpose because of fear?  

Today I was reading the book of Numbers 13 and could not help wondering if fear and faith intentionally coexist.  Verse 1 starts this way, The Lord said to Moses, “send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites.”Note, the Lord had already given them the land.

Fast forward to verse 26 where the men who had gone are back and giving feedback on what they saw. In verse 27, they give account to Moses and agree indeed the land they were sent to flows with milk and honey. It’s a nice place, lots of good things, it’s rich and the people look healthy. But quickly the feedback dwells on everything else that’s negative and instils fear. Only one voice was optimistic and recommended that they move forth and take the land, the rest of the bunch was not interested in moving forward with the plan. They instead saw many reasons going forward would not work. They focused on the things they feared, the gigantic physical appearance of the people, their perceived strength, to a point where they started spreading bad reports about the land to others just to discourage them from wanting to follow through.

This reminded me so much of our human nature. If you are like me there has been a point in your life where you had dreams that were or are still big, beautiful, and scary. Deep down in your heart you know those are dreams imparted to you by God, but like these Israelites you got distracted by what you saw with your human eye and disqualified yourself from pursuing such dreams. Even though you knew that God was taking you to a better place, your own place of milk and honey. Along the way you met nay-sayers who convinced you the dream was too big and that your comfort zone was your final destination.  Today along this way I want to be the person that reminds you differently, that God has not given you the spirit of fear, but one of power, love and a sound mind. You will find this in 2 Tim1:17.

In your moments of fear, remember 1 Peter 5: 6-7 and, Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because He cares about you.

Whatever you are contemplating starting or going back to in order to finish, I encourage you to give it a chance and step out of your knowing and trust in the faithfulness of God. Because of His faithfulness, the bible says we do not perish, His mercies never end. They are new, every morning; great is thy faithfulness.  Being back here is for me that stepping up, there is a “land” I have been given. It’s already done. Mine is to step up and legitimize what God has given me despite my fears.

I hope you are encouraged to do the same, go get that job, start that business, close that door, pursue that dream. Pursue God and see what He will do for you.

Be Blessed

LM