Spiritual Disciplinesনমুনা

Day 2- Overcoming Fear

Discover: When it comes to evangelism, one of the biggest distractors that keep us from sharing the gospel is our fear. We don’t want to make someone feel uncomfortable, or we don’t want to say the wrong thing. These are all built off of our fears and anxieties. But thanks be the Lord, we have been assured that we can overcome this fear through His grace. In Matthew 10, Jesus calms our fears and anxieties when it comes to sharing the good news with others by reminding us that the Holy Spirit will give us the words to speak. Jesus says simply, it is not I, but the Father through me. But that’s not all, God also commands us to live life not in a spirit of fear, but of love. 2 Timothy 1, recounts Paul facing a timid Timothy who struggled with his fears when it came to sharing the good news. But God tells Timothy that fear does not come from the God he serves, for the spirit of the Lord is not fear, but of power, and love, and a sound mind. So not only does God call us to not fear and to trust that He will provide, but that He will always take that walk with us. Joshua 1:9 encourages us to be strong and courageous, knowing that our Heavenly Father will be with us wherever we go.

Learn: It’s safe to say that we live in a world where fear can control our situations. But because of the Love of Christ, we serve a God, not of fear, but of power and self-control. When Timothy followed the call of the Lord to go and share the good news, just like his mentor Paul, he felt the stress and fear of being in a world where sharing the gospel could lead to death. But God assures Timothy to not be afraid, for we who put our lives in Christ live a life of love and power. We all face situations where we feel uneasy or afraid. For some, speaking in front of people fills them with fear. Or maybe confrontation makes you a little uncomfortable. It’s easy to let fear determine our outcome. The fear of rejection, fear of missing out, fear of being looked at differently, these are all things we struggle with on a daily. But it’s important to know that overcoming that fear in your life starts with knowing that the fear you feel is not from God. But what he has given us, is the spirit of power! Power to do His work, proclaim His word, and the power to represent his kingdom.

Apply: The next time you find yourself in a situation where you feel the Lord place you in a moment to share the good news of Christ, yet you feel hesitant because the fear inside you is holding you hostage, stop and pray! Ask God to help you overcome any fear or doubts that hold you back from sharing the gospel. Pray that God will give you the confidence to trust and follow the steps of the Spirit.

· Was there a time when you let fear control the outcome of a situation?

· 2 Timothy 1:7-8 speaks about God giving us a spirit of power, love, and self-control. How can you apply this verse to areas of your life where fear or anxiety tends to take over, especially when it comes to sharing the Gospel?

· How does understanding that God is a God of love help you confront your fears?

· What does Joshua 1:9 courage look like in your life when it comes to sharing your faith?