Trading Fear for Truth: One Man’s Journey Sample

Fear Not, For I Am With You

I’ve heard others say that the enemy of progress is fear. And I agree. Nehemiah was tasked with rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall, a daunting task that seemed impossible. He had to overcome opposition from outsiders and the internal turmoil of self-doubt, worry and denial.

Nehemiah 6:9 (NIV) stands out for me: “They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.’ But I prayed, ‘Now strengthen my hands.”

The enemy seeks to fill you with so much fear that you remain crippled,frozen and unable to do anything. The only counter to that fear? Stepping out in faith.

2 Timothy 1:7 promises that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. We were not made to be fearful!

In December 2009, I received life-changing news. I received a scholarship to complete my master’s degree at North Dakota State University! It was a fantastic opportunity—what could go wrong?

Although that news changed my life, it also meant leaving all my family and friends, traveling to a state that would get frigid cold, and living in a culture I knew very little about,roughly 8,200 miles (about 13,196.62 km) away.

I was afraid. But if I had let that fear stop me from getting on the plane and taking that step of faith, I would have missed so many blessings I now have.

When we fear, we are so often believing lies. Lies that things will go poorly, that God won’t be there to take care of us or that something terrible will happen. But most of the time, these things never come true.

In other words, we often feelworry and anxiety when we don’t need to! 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) reminds us to stay alert: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

The devil understands that if he can distract you with fear enough to immobilize you, you’ll be unable to live the life God has for you. Remember that where God gives a vision, he also gives provision. If God is for us, who can be against us? No one!

Scripture: Romans 8:31-39