Psychologists say we are born with two basic fears: falling and loud noise. But it doesn’t take us long to develop a lot more of them. Fear has 1,000 shapes and sizes. And, it can either work for or against us.
Let’s zero in on how that applies to living as believers in Christ. Fear can work FOR me when it motivates me toward faith and fidelity in the Lord (Proverbs 1:7; Ecclesiastes 12:13). Unfortunately, fear also can work AGAINST me. Check out Peter in Matthew 16:21f. Why was this disciple so adamant toward the Lord? Well, look at the context. Peter did not go into a meltdown because he was afraid for Jesus. Peter was afraid for Peter! In I Samuel 17, the people of the Lord were being defeated, not by the Philistine army but by their fear of Goliath. It took only one teenager with faith (David) to show that God is a dragon slayer. Jehovah used a child to teach adults what He really wanted from them. Seems like He did the same thing a couple thousand years later?!
It took only one teenager with faith (David) to show that God is a dragon slayer.
Now, I want to think about churches and those who are to be spiritual leaders. Joshua faced a huge task when he assumed the reins from Moses. It would be his frightful responsibility to finish what Moses had started: getting an entire nation settled into the land of promise. But Joshua was a battle-tested leader. He could handle it. No problems! Really? Hear the word of Jehovah at the outset of this great undertaking: “…do not be afraid, nor be dismayed…” (Joshua 1:9). Who brought up fear? God did! God knew that even the strongest can become rattled in the face of great undertakings.
How many times has fear triumphed over faith in our churches and pulpits? It can be a controlling and crippling adversary. In my personal life and as an evangelist, faith always has added while fear always has subtracted. Faith has made me more while fear has made me less. I have seen the many things faith can do and the many things fear can undo, both with myself and the church of God. All this considered, certain fears keep cropping up among those who lead God’s people. Here they are (and we may revisit this):
- fear of failure
- fear of criticism
- fear of change
- fear of who will be in charge
- fear that people will not follow
- fear of finances
- fear of offending others
- fear of power brokers
- fear of inadequacy
- fear of responsibility
Now, none of these fears has the right to decide the future of any enterprise of the Lord. But any will compete with faith to have the say-so. And such things never end with a tie! Do I need to mentally circle which is trying to control me?
Look again at Joshua 1:9 and notice how Jehovah sandwiched His word about fear. He said, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage” – “for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” And what is meant by “God is with you?” The idea is that God will be with Joshua as an active participant in the execution of His purposes. The same thing is said in His great commission in Matthew 28:20. “I am with you always.” Hmmm. Now, would that not also be His word to leaders in our times?
Where God guides, He also provides. He always has. He always will. And He will do it with those who trust (have faith) in Him. I don’t need to know all the answers or outcomes, but I need to know HIM. And the more I know Him, the easier it is to trust Him. Where am I in this thing of fear and faith? Where are we?
One thing for sure: we know what time it is. This is our time for faith not fear.
robert
