We all have a fear of something. Whether that is spiders, mice, heights or the million other things we can be afraid of. But what fear in our life is holding us back. Are we afraid to fail, afraid to be judged, afraid to not fit in, afraid to speak the truth? Those fears keep us from doing the very things God calls us to do. I have struggled with this for many years. My personality wants people to like me. I like to be a part of whatever group I am with. BUT, if I let that drive my actions and judgment, where do I stand with God?
My ability to overcome fear is, I believe, directly related to how much I know about who God is and how He knows me. As I grow closer to God, I begin to see that I do not have to fear failure if I am in his will. I do not have to worry about being judged, except by God himself, I do not have to fit in but I must stand out as someone who is filled with God’s love for people, and I have to rely on the Holy Spirit to speak the truth in love when I am called to do so. God has me in this world for a reason and as long as I am actively seeking His will throughout my day I have nothing to fear.
That does not mean that I use poor judgment when it comes to spiders and snakes (yuck). A healthy fear of things that can harm me is God-given wisdom. I just need to learn to discern what the healthy fears in this world are and what fears are keeping me from being all that God wants me to be.
I John 4:18 (MSG) says, “God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.”
I want to be the person that is standing with Christ in this world and seeking his approval and relying on His love to keep me from fear.