Experiencing fear and faith 

‘Be strong and of good courage.’ Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV 

Any time you attempt something for the first time, or something you’ve failed at before, or something you think is too big for you, you’ll experience both fear and faith. They go together. One will win out over the other, but they never go away. Because Israel had no idea what challenges awaited them or what life would be like in the Promised Land, God told them, ‘Be strong and of good courage...for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.’ And today that’s His promise to you too! It’s fear of failure that stops us most of the time. Yet as you look back, you realise that most times failure doesn’t do permanent damage at all; you actually grow through it. Dr Joan Borysenko writes: ‘When I was admitted to Harvard, I was sure there had been a computer error and I’d be exposed as a fraud. A lawyer friend of mine stops short of terror every time she has to give a final argument before a jury. Even when you’re an expert, fear doesn’t necessarily go away. It’s accepting fear as part of the journey instead of running from it, that helps you to conquer it.’ To go anywhere, you must launch out from somewhere, or you’ll get nowhere. American essayist Hamilton Wright Mabie said, ‘The question for each man to settle is not what he would do if he had the means, time, influence, and educational advantages, but what he will do with the things he has.’ So, confront your fear, step out in faith, and believe God for success. 

Prayer Point:

Lord, You know that sometimes there is a battle between faith and fear in my life. Let my faith in Your goodness, presence, and power win out against my fear of failure or what others might think. I don’t want fear to stop me from being fruitful for You, or from experiencing the fullness of life that You offer. Help me Lord, for Your glory’s sake. Amen.  

Acknowledgements: John Mason, Believe You Can (Revel, 2010), 44.