Forty Days Without FearSample

  OVERCOMING FEAR OF JUDGEMENT 

A garden, unattended, becomes overgrown and out of harmony with the surrounding environment. The gardener’s role is to create a framework for the plants to grow harmoniously alongside each other; making a template for the trees and flowers to reach their full potential. He trims, cuts and shapes the garden as necessary. 

Because of what Jesus has done for us, removing our sin and giving us His righteousness, we will never face judgement and condemnation again. However, there is a framework in which we thrive and reach our full potential, and that can involve correction or pruning. This framework is important to becoming more Christ-like and more in in harmony with God, one another, and with Creation.

God’s correction and training is always rooted in love: He convicts us to keep us maturing in our faith and on the right path, rather than writing us out of His will and purposes. God’s graces cover us completely; His mercies are new every morning, and His love for us runs deep to His core. 

So, let’s shake off the fear of judgement and come before God to be corrected, to be convicted regarding our actions, because it’s always for our best. God is not a cold-hearted dictator, His ‘pruning’ comes from a place of intimacy and kindness because He wants us to be the best version of who He has created us to be. 

Action: Are there any areas in our lives we know God is convicting us about and we need to address? Where do we need God’s help? Let’s bring these things before Him and ask Him to shape us. Write down what He says and act on His words!