Your Purpose Is CallingSample

Purpose Blocker #1 - Fear

You were created to Fix a Problem.

Before creation, God had a plan for your life. The same thing that he said to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:5 he says to us, "Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you…" (MSG). Before I go further on purpose, I want to address the elephant in the room: Purpose Blockers. Purpose Blockers are negative emotions, insecurities, and excuses that lead us down less productive, less fulfilling roads on our purpose journey. These distractions stop you from achieving your purpose, and if you don't face them head-on, you may shy away from what you are to confront and overcome. Over the next two days, I will expose two main Purpose Blockers: Fear and Self-reliance.

Fear

In the years I have been a Pastor, fear has been one of the most significant purpose blockers I have had to help people confront. It is also why the statement, "Do it afraid," was so life-changing for me. I'm not sure where I first heard it, but I remember thinking, "If God's people could just hold onto that statement and lean into it - trust God even when you can't see him, they would be able to overcome some of their fears."

You were created for a unique destiny that aligns with your unique identity. In other words, you're different because you're called to contribute something different to this world; we all are! But you won't accomplish your destiny if you don't embrace your unique identity, and this will take faith. Faith cancels fear. Some people think faith means simply following their gut instinct, but if you are a believer that "gut instinct" is the Holy Spirit leading you! (More on that later in the plan.) We have many examples in the Bible of people who reached their unique destiny a lot quicker when facing and overcoming fear. Let's look at Esther's story.

Queen Esther (Esther 4:12-14) was afraid of going into the King's presence to ask him to spare the lives of her people. She was afraid to go into his presence - not to ask the question, but to go into his presence. She wasn't afraid to ask because she didn't think she would get that far! And let's be clear, Esther had a right to be afraid. Death was the penalty for approaching the King if he had not summoned you. Read Mordecai's (Esther's guardian) response when Esther responds in fear, "…And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" Mordecai was saying to Queen Esther saving the lives of the Jews may be the reason for your existence. Esther did it, afraid! You and I also must face and embrace our fears, and like Esther, we must press on, trusting that God is guiding and protecting us on our purpose journey.

Talk it Over

What, or who, are you afraid of?

What, or who, has you so fearful you can't move on the things you know God has called you to do?

Prayer

Father, help me to remember that you did not give me a spirit of fear. You gave me a sound mind, power, and self-discipline. And because of your spirit, I can do all things through you. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.