In my book Fearless I wrote:
When fear shapes our lives, safety becomes our god. When safety becomes our god, we worship the risk-free life. Can the safety lover do anything great? Can the risk-averse accomplish noble deeds? For God? For others? No. The fear-filled cannot love deeply. Love is risky. They cannot give to the poor. Benevolence has no guarantee of return. The fear-filled cannot dream wildly. What if their dreams sputter and fall from the sky? The worship of safety emasculates greatness. No wonder Jesus wages such a war against fear.
The Gospels address fear head-on. The consensus? Don't be afraid.
Afraid of death and satanic forces at work? "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul" (Matt 10:28).
Afraid of God's calling you into a whole new life? "But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God' "(Luke 1:30).
Afraid of the world? "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).
Afraid of job loss, foreclosure, and bankruptcy? "Do not be afraid, little flock for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12"32).
Afraid of what people are saying behind your back? "So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known" (Matt 10:26).
Afraid that Jesus has left you? "He (God) Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. (I will) not, (I will) not, (I will) not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let (You) down (relax My hold on you)! (Assuredly not!)" (Heb 13:5 amplified bible).
Fear's main goal is to keep you from God's plan for your life, so don't allow it to win.
If anything should be afraid, it should be fear itself.
By: Max Lucado
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.