Forty Days Without FearSample

OVERCOMING FEAR OF MAN 

[Who we follow determines how fearful we become] 

Maybe the first thing we have to decide when we are looking to conquer our fears is who influences us?  Who are our role models? I wonder if we have ever thought about who we are following, because who we hang out with, and follow, can determine who, and what, we fear. 

If we follow someone who is fearful, we will have much more anxiety and fear, but if we follow someone who is fearless, we will fear less!

Today’s passage is a great example of this! When David turned up at the battlefield to take provisions to his brothers, he found the enemy, Goliath, intimidating King Saul and the Israelites, and they were paralyzed with fear. 

David took courage and stepped out to face the giant of a man! Interestingly, after David’s epic win, his mighty men, inspired by his faith and his victory, went on to defeat many giants themselves. 

The key to David’s success was that he had confidence and trust in God, rather than fear of Man.  Under David’s influence the Israelites became fearless too! 

If we hang out with others who inspire us in God, their courage will rub off on us. If we are confident in God, we will have a ripple effect on the people around us, inspiring courage, not fear when ‘giants’ come our way. 

Giants like COVID, financial recession, sickness - do they intimidate us and fill us with worry and fear, or do they draw us closer to Jesus, and others who are drawing courage from Him? 

Action: Pray about who influences us and who are those God is giving us to inspire with confidence and trust in Jesus.